By Alesha Capone
Wyndham council is still figuring out whether it will sack 22 staff who remain unvaccinated against COVID-19, without a valid medical exemption.
A council spokesperson said that in November and December 2021, the council sent letters to its employees, stating that they were required to abide by the state government’s orders that all local government staff must be double-vaccinated against coronavirus.
The spokesperson told Star Weekly that a final “show cause” letter was sent to 22 unvaccinated staff members in mid-January.
“Those staff are responding this week,” the spokesperson said, on Thursday, February 3.
“Once all responses have been received, Wyndham city will determine what future action will be taken.
“This will occur in mid-February.
“Wyndham city is still determining whether staff who are unvaccinated will be terminated.”
The spokesperson said the council “has followed a rigorous process and provided all unvaccinated employees with ample opportunity to either get vaccinated or provide evidence of a medical exemption”.
All of Wyndham’s councillors except one, Marcel Mahfoud, have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
Cr Mahfoud has previously stated that he would continue carrying out his council duties in a virtual capacity – such as attending council meetings via online platforms such as Zoom, rather than in person –until he is able to receive a Novavax vaccine.
However, on Thursday, February 10, Cr Mahfoud said that he now holds a medical exemption from being vaccinated against COVID-19, so is able to perform all his councillor duties.
“Victorian councillors are not included in the current vaccination mandate,” he said.
“It is incredibly difficult to compare why some people will lose their jobs and why others won’t, however I can only rely on the state government directions.”
The council wrote to the local government minister in 2021, seeking advice on why mandatory vaccine requirements requiring state parliamentarians to be vaccinated, or face suspension from their roles, have not been extended to Victorian councillors.
