An arbitrator rejected a recent grievance filed against Paragon
Protection over its COVID-19 vaccine policy.
On Nov. 9, 2021, Arbitrator Frederick R. von Von Veh ruled
against the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Local 333. He
found that Paragon's COVID-19 vaccine policy was reasonable,
enforceable and complied with Ontario's Human Rights
Code (the Code) and the Occupational Health and Safety
Act (OHSA).
Background
Paragon employs approximately 4,400 security guards in Ontario.
Those security guards provide services to Paragon's clients at
some 450 sites. Of those clients, 226 had policies requiring
Paragon's employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
On Sept. 3, 2021, Paragon implemented its COVID-19 Vaccination
Policy, along with its COVID-19 Vaccination Exemption Policy. The
Vaccination Policy and the Exemption Policy mandated that: