The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday, Dec. 3, edition that BCE's Bell Canada must repay wages to some remote employees placed on unpaid leave during the COVID-19 pandemic, an arbitrator ruled. The Globe's Irene Galea writes that Bell said the ruling would affect about 130 employees. In 2021, Bell mandated vaccinations for its 45,000 employees, allowing for unpaid leave or termination for refusals. However, more than 300 unionized Bell employees filed grievances against the policy with Unifor, their union. Unifor argued that Bell's vaccine mandate was unreasonable, and that it "crossed the line between responsible management and abuse of authority by applying the policy rigidly and mechanically, without regard for workplace realities," according to legal records. Bell contends the unpaid leaves were administrative measures, and that they adjusted their approach as the situation evolved, particularly by choosing not to dismiss any employees. In a ruling in late November, the first of three expected in the case, arbitrator Francine Lamy found that Bell was generally justified in its mandatory vaccination policy, given the substantial health risks and guidance from the federal government at the time.