Latest news with #HarryGoslin
National Post
2 hours ago
- Business
- National Post
WSIB quietly confirms backlog and costly shortcuts as strike nears third week, union says
Article content TORONTO — The Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU/CUPE 1750) is sounding the alarm after an internal message sent to Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) staff confirms a growing backlog of injured worker claims, directly contradicting recent public statements from WSIB leadership. Article content 'For weeks, the WSIB has publicly denied any backlog, but now we know the truth,' said Harry Goslin, President of OCEU/CUPE 1750. 'They just decided–due to a backlog–to automatically allow the claims that would normally require review, even those to which an employer has objected; this is not just dishonest, it's dangerous and will cost employers dearly.' Article content In an internal memo sent to WSIB staff over the weekend, senior management announced temporary adjudication changes to 'help manage the volume of claims during the labour disruption.' These changes mean essentially all claims for physical injuries will be automatically allowed, including those with: Article content Delayed reporting or medical attention Gradual onset injuries Prior conditions Employer objections. Article content The memo admits the changes 'increase risk' and that WSIB expects more objections and reconsiderations in the future. It also states these measures will be 'turned off once we've worked through the backlog.' Article content 'Let's be clear, this confirms what we've been saying all along. There is a backlog. The employer has been misleading the public, and now they're cutting corners in an attempt to keep up appearances,' Goslin said. 'This lockout needs to end so that union members can get back to taking care of injured Ontarians.' Article content The strike, which began May 21, is now nearing its third week, and injured workers, employers, and frontline staff are all paying the price for the WSIB's refusal to negotiate in good faith. Instead of resolving the dispute, management is resorting to costly shortcuts and spin. Article content OCEU/CUPE 1750 remains unwavering in its commitment to a fair deal that upholds public service standards, protects the integrity of Ontario's workers' compensation system, and ensures injured workers get the support they deserve, without compromise, delay, or deception. It's time for the employer to come back to the table and end this strike now. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Article content
National Post
5 days ago
- Business
- National Post
WSIB Workers Mark Two Weeks on Strike as Ford Government Turns a Blind Eye to Dangerous Workloads and U.S. Outsourcing
Article content TORONTO — 3,600 members of the Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU/CUPE 1750), who support more than 5.6 million workers across Ontario, are now entering their second week on strike—the first full-scale work stoppage in the WSIB's 110-year history. Article content The strike stems from dangerously high workloads, chronic understaffing, stagnant wages, and a toxic workplace culture—conditions that have created growing backlogs for injured Ontarians. Adding fuel to the fire, the Ford government has allowed WSIB to outsource critical Ontario jobs to U.S.-based companies, undermining public services and costing local jobs. Article content 'Our members are passionate about helping injured workers—but they are workers too,' said Harry Goslin, President of OCEU/CUPE 1750. 'The Ford government and WSIB management are refusing to fix the growing crisis inside the system. Instead, they're sending Ontario jobs and public dollars to American companies. That's not cost-saving—it's job-killing. And it flies in the face of Ontario's own Made-in-Canada promises.' Article content WSIB staff have been locked out of their work systems, harassed for participating in legal strike action, and targeted by private investigators hired by management to monitor picket lines. Meanwhile, WSIB has spent $14.5 million on U.S.-based coaching firm BetterUp, and is finalizing a contract with American company Iron Mountain that will eliminate 26 Ontario jobs tied to vital document management. Article content 'Instead of coming to the table with real solutions, the employer is stalling negotiations and using intimidation tactics, while Ontario's injured workers face longer wait times and growing backlogs,' said Goslin. ' This strike was avoidable. We remain ready to negotiate, but management must stop the intimidation, end the outsourcing, and bring forward a fair deal.' Article content WSIB is solely funded by Ontario employers—not taxpayers. In the past year, the Board handed out $4 billion in rebates to employers but refuses to invest a fraction of that in addressing staff workloads, fair wages or improving the services available to injured workers. Article content The outsourcing of public sector jobs and the failure to address core issues at WSIB set a troubling precedent for Ontario's broader public services. Article content 'All workers deserve fair pay, safe workplaces, and respect,' Goslin said. 'This strike can end tomorrow if WSIB and the Ford government come to the table with a real deal. It's time to stop the delay tactics, end the intimidation, and invest in the people who keep Ontario's public services running.' Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content For more information, please contact: Article content Article content Bill Chalupiak Article content Article content Article content
Business Wire
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
WSIB Workers Mark Two Weeks on Strike as Ford Government Turns a Blind Eye to Dangerous Workloads and U.S. Outsourcing
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--3,600 members of the Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU/CUPE 1750), who support more than 5.6 million workers across Ontario, are now entering their second week on strike—the first full-scale work stoppage in the WSIB's 110-year history. The strike stems from dangerously high workloads, chronic understaffing, stagnant wages, and a toxic workplace culture—conditions that have created growing backlogs for injured Ontarians. Adding fuel to the fire, the Ford government has allowed WSIB to outsource critical Ontario jobs to U.S.-based companies, undermining public services and costing local jobs. 'Our members are passionate about helping injured workers—but they are workers too,' said Harry Goslin, President of OCEU/CUPE 1750. 'The Ford government and WSIB management are refusing to fix the growing crisis inside the system. Instead, they're sending Ontario jobs and public dollars to American companies. That's not cost-saving—it's job-killing. And it flies in the face of Ontario's own Made-in-Canada promises.' WSIB staff have been locked out of their work systems, harassed for participating in legal strike action, and targeted by private investigators hired by management to monitor picket lines. Meanwhile, WSIB has spent $14.5 million on U.S.-based coaching firm BetterUp, and is finalizing a contract with American company Iron Mountain that will eliminate 26 Ontario jobs tied to vital document management. 'Instead of coming to the table with real solutions, the employer is stalling negotiations and using intimidation tactics, while Ontario's injured workers face longer wait times and growing backlogs,' said Goslin. ' This strike was avoidable. We remain ready to negotiate, but management must stop the intimidation, end the outsourcing, and bring forward a fair deal.' WSIB is solely funded by Ontario employers—not taxpayers. In the past year, the Board handed out $4 billion in rebates to employers but refuses to invest a fraction of that in addressing staff workloads, fair wages or improving the services available to injured workers. The outsourcing of public sector jobs and the failure to address core issues at WSIB set a troubling precedent for Ontario's broader public services. 'All workers deserve fair pay, safe workplaces, and respect,' Goslin said. 'This strike can end tomorrow if WSIB and the Ford government come to the table with a real deal. It's time to stop the delay tactics, end the intimidation, and invest in the people who keep Ontario's public services running.' For more information, or to arrange an interview with OCEU/CUPE 1750 President Harry Goslin, please contact: Bill Chalupiak CUPE Communications Representative wchalupiak@ 416-707-1401 mb/cope491
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
WSIB Workers Mark Two Weeks on Strike as Ford Government Turns a Blind Eye to Dangerous Workloads and U.S. Outsourcing
Ontario's injured workers face growing backlogs while frontline staff call for fair wages, safe workplaces, and an end to U.S. outsourcing TORONTO, June 05, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--3,600 members of the Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU/CUPE 1750), who support more than 5.6 million workers across Ontario, are now entering their second week on strike—the first full-scale work stoppage in the WSIB's 110-year history. The strike stems from dangerously high workloads, chronic understaffing, stagnant wages, and a toxic workplace culture—conditions that have created growing backlogs for injured Ontarians. Adding fuel to the fire, the Ford government has allowed WSIB to outsource critical Ontario jobs to U.S.-based companies, undermining public services and costing local jobs. "Our members are passionate about helping injured workers—but they are workers too," said Harry Goslin, President of OCEU/CUPE 1750. "The Ford government and WSIB management are refusing to fix the growing crisis inside the system. Instead, they're sending Ontario jobs and public dollars to American companies. That's not cost-saving—it's job-killing. And it flies in the face of Ontario's own Made-in-Canada promises." WSIB staff have been locked out of their work systems, harassed for participating in legal strike action, and targeted by private investigators hired by management to monitor picket lines. Meanwhile, WSIB has spent $14.5 million on U.S.-based coaching firm BetterUp, and is finalizing a contract with American company Iron Mountain that will eliminate 26 Ontario jobs tied to vital document management. "Instead of coming to the table with real solutions, the employer is stalling negotiations and using intimidation tactics, while Ontario's injured workers face longer wait times and growing backlogs," said Goslin. "This strike was avoidable. We remain ready to negotiate, but management must stop the intimidation, end the outsourcing, and bring forward a fair deal." WSIB is solely funded by Ontario employers—not taxpayers. In the past year, the Board handed out $4 billion in rebates to employers but refuses to invest a fraction of that in addressing staff workloads, fair wages or improving the services available to injured workers. The outsourcing of public sector jobs and the failure to address core issues at WSIB set a troubling precedent for Ontario's broader public services. "All workers deserve fair pay, safe workplaces, and respect," Goslin said. "This strike can end tomorrow if WSIB and the Ford government come to the table with a real deal. It's time to stop the delay tactics, end the intimidation, and invest in the people who keep Ontario's public services running." For more information, or to arrange an interview with OCEU/CUPE 1750 President Harry Goslin, please contact: Bill ChalupiakCUPE Communications Representativewchalupiak@ 416-707-1401 mb/cope491 View source version on Contacts For more information, please contact: Bill ChalupiakCUPE Communications Representativewchalupiak@ 416-707-1401 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
National Post
7 days ago
- Business
- National Post
Strike at WSIB Stretches as Employer Dawdles
Article content TORONTO — As the strike at the WSIB approaches its second week, the WSIB management is dragging its heels on issuing a pass. The OCEU/CUPE 1750 bargaining team issued a complete pass back to the employer on June 1, but have yet to receive a fulsome response. 'It's like they aren't taking the strike seriously,' said Harry Goslin, president of OCEU/CUPE 1750. 'Our members are out on the picket lines because they are overworked and feel disrespected by the employer, and these delay tactics are just a manifestation of that disrespect.' Article content 'The employer made the union wait four days for a pass last week,' added Nicole Francis, OCEU/CUPE 1750's chief steward. 'Their lack of meaningful engagement in this process is deeply frustrating.' Article content Article content The union is hoping to get a meaningful solution to the workload problem that is causing elevated rates of burnout and mental health leaves among OCEU/CUPE 1750 members, as well as a deal that will allow the members to catch up to the spending power they had before Bill 124 froze their wages. Article content 'We have been told the Treasury Board is telling the employer not to offer us a fair wage deal,' said Goslin. 'Seeing as the WSIB isn't taxpayer-funded, we're not sure why the Treasury Board is involved at all.' Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Article content
