A significant legal confrontation regarding St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ COVID-19 vaccine mandate for public sector workers is advancing toward the Privy Council in London for final adjudication. The case, sponsored by three major labor organizations—the Public Service Union, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers Union, and the Police Welfare Association—challenges the previous government’s dismissal of hundreds of employees who refused vaccination by November 2021.
Former Prime Minister and current Opposition Leader Ralph Gonsalves has expressed anticipation regarding the stance of the newly elected New Democratic Party (NDP) administration on defending the appeal. The judicial journey has seen notable fluctuations: initially, the High Court deemed the terminations illegal and unconstitutional, but this ruling was subsequently overturned by a 2-1 decision in the Court of Appeal, which then authorized the Privy Council appeal.
Since assuming power, the NDP government has initiated the reinstatement of affected workers, fulfilling a key campaign promise. Some employees, like teacher Ann-Marie Ballantyne, have returned to their positions after a four-year absence and now await full back-pay compensation. However, Ballantyne acknowledges the ongoing legal process and expresses patience regarding staggered payments, recognizing potential economic constraints.
Gonsalves has speculated that the NDP might opt to settle the matter preemptively rather than pursue a definitive Privy Council ruling, potentially leaving the Court of Appeal’s decision as the final word. Meanwhile, union representatives have confirmed their commitment to pursuing the appeal irrespective of the government’s position, seeking broader legal clarifications beyond mere reinstatement and compensation.