Latest news with #NicoleFrancis
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Strike at WSIB Stretches as Employer Dawdles
TORONTO, June 03, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--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." "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." 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. "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." phw/cope491 View source version on Contacts 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
Business Wire
7 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Strike at WSIB Stretches as Employer Dawdles
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--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.' '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.' 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. '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.' phw/cope491
CTV News
26-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Nearly 4,000 WSIB workers engaged in ‘full' strike, union says
About 4,000 employees at the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) are now engaged in a full strike after starting with rolling strike action, the union has confirmed to CTV News Toronto. Members of CUPE Local 1750 have been at picket lines across Ontario since last Thursday, after conversations between management and the union stalled. The union has previously accused the WSIB of failing to put forward a meaningful offer. The union has said that wages and workload are among the biggest points of contention. In a news release issued on Monday, the WSIB said that it has been able to continue to provide services despite the strike. The union said on Monday that there have been 'unconfirmed reports' that their employer contracted a telephone service to step in and cover the role of the employees on strike. 'Many of our members have received warning letters from the employer threatening discipline for being involved in legal strike action that is protectedby the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms,' chief steward Nicole Francis said in a release. 'Now we are hearing reports that the WSIB may be hiring scabs to do our work. It's shameful.' The WSIB said that it has been able to provide its services due to non-union staff and hundreds of union members who have chosen to continue working instead of joining the picket lines. 'We have answered thousands of calls, processed hundreds of claims, and continue to make income replacement payments to people off work because of an injury,' Jeff Lang, president and CEO of the WSIB said in the release. This strike marks the first in the organization's history as the union says their employer failed to address their workload issues, 'stagnant pay,' and a 'toxic' workplace environment. 'My coworkers and I are taking a stand—right now, this year, this round of bargaining—to defend our own wellness and standard of living, and to fight for a WSIB that prioritizes workers and their needs,' OCEU/CUPE 1750 president Harry Goslin said at a media event held over the weekend. The WSIB serves more than 5.3 million people across thousands of workplaces in the province, the agency says. It provides wage-loss benefits, medical coverage and support returning to work after a work-related injury or illness. The company says it will continue to serve during the strike, adding anyone in need of their services can head to its website at any time.
Associated Press
20-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
WSIB Workers Hold Media Availability After Collective Bargaining Stalls
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 20, 2025-- After weeks of 14-hour days at the bargaining table, the union representing workers at the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) spent the long weekend negotiating with the employer. The bargaining team for OCEU/CUPE 1750 is demanding that the employer take meaningful steps to reduce the dangerously high workloads which are driving up rates of depression and anxiety among their members. The WSIB has given rebates of $4 billion to employers this year but won't invest any of the remaining billions of dollars of surplus to improve working conditions within the organization or expand access to the 1.56 million workers in Ontario not currently covered by the WSIB. Despite a promising step to extend the negotiating period to May 21st, the union and the employer remain at an impasse on the fundamental issues impacting over 3600 union members at the WSIB. 'Our members need the employer to work with us to reduce these workloads,' said Harry Goslin, President of OCEU/CUPE 1750. 'We came to the table ready to work through these issues and get a deal, but instead we learn the shocking truth that employee health and safety is not a priority.' The union held a strike vote on May 1st, receiving a 96% yes vote from the members. 'Our members are ready,' said Nicole Francis, Chief Steward of OCEU/CUPE 1750. 'The WSIB employees have never had a labour disruption, but the current senior management team seems determined to change that.' The union bargaining team will hold a media availability outside the WSIB offices at 200 Front Street on May 22nd at noon to update Ontario workers who rely on the members of OCEU/CUPE 1750 to deliver their WSIB benefits. mb/cope491 View source version on CONTACT: For more information, please contact: Bill Chalupiak, CUPE Communications Representative 416-707-1401 [email protected] KEYWORD: NORTH AMERICA CANADA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: PUBLIC POLICY/GOVERNMENT LABOR STATE/LOCAL SOURCE: Canadian Union of Public Employees Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 05/20/2025 09:42 AM/DISC: 05/20/2025 09:41 AM
Business Wire
16-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
CUPE: Doug Ford Hands $4 Billion to Bosses While Leaving Injured Workers in the Lurch
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ford's announcement that $4 billion in rebates will be paid out to Ontario employers is lauded as a positive step for Ontario, but this is a misdirection. WSIB is not taxpayer funded. Employers pay premiums to ensure that when workers get injured on the job, they have coverage to help them recover. The fact is that successive Conservative and Liberal governments have eroded our workers' compensation system, limiting the scope of coverage and benefits. It is time to reverse this trend and expand coverage and benefits, prioritizing injured workers over rebates to employers. Since 2017 the WSIB has through rate reductions and direct refunds given Ontario employers Over $8 Billion. $5.5 Billion in direct refunds since 2022. But workers get nothing. The $4 Billion refunding taking place in 2025 is not even tied to improving prevention and safety for workers. At a minimum the refund should be required to prevent layoffs during the Trade War with America. Meanwhile, the workers at the WSIB are left with fewer resources than they need to provide the service the injured workers of Ontario deserve. 'Instead of handing billions back to the bosses, the Ford government should be looking to expand WSIB coverage to the over 1.56 million workers excluded from the WSIB,' said Harry Goslin, President of OCEU/CUPE 1750. '$4 billion could also be used to end hallway medicine, end the cuts to injured worker benefits and significantly improve accident prevention in Ontario.' 'WSIB refunds should come with a requirement to ensure Ontario jobs are protected during this trade war,' added Nicole Francis, Chief Steward of OCEU/CUPE 1750. 'Sadly, the government policy is based on the unrealistic hope that the $4 Billion gift will trickle down to protect Ontario workers.' mb/cope491
