Latest news with #WSIBstrike
CTV News
07-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Striking WSIB workers returning to work on Monday after voting to ratify tentative collective agreement
As the WSIB strike drags on, Ontario Compensation Employees Union president Harry Goslin visited the picket line in North Bay on Tuesday to update them on contract negotiations. Members of the Ontario Compensation Employees Union will be returning to work on Monday after voting in favour of ratifying the tentative collective agreement that was announced on Saturday with their employer, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. The nearly 4,000 workers have been off the job for about six weeks following months of stalled contract negotiations with the WSIB, which provides workplace injury and illness insurance to more than 5.3 million people across 300,000 Ontario businesses. Represented by CUPE Local 1750, the union struggled to reach an agreement with the WSIB. Some of its key priorities were 'real investments in frontline staffing, a stop to outsourcing Ontario jobs, and safer workloads.' 'I am proud of my coworkers and the strength of our union, we are a critical safety net for Ontario workers and Ontarians spoke up, sending thousands of messages to the WSIB leadership,' Harry Goslin, the union's president, said in a written statement on Sunday. 'Together, we were able to secure the best possible outcome and successfully pushed back against the employer's attacks on union seniority rights.' Calling the job action, a 'historic moment for our union and the broader labour movement,' Goslin thanked his members for their 'unwavering commitment and courage, the public for their understanding, and our fellow unions for their solidarity and support throughout this challenging fight.' Despite the return to work, OCEU/CUPE Local 1750 said the fight is not over to protect all workers' rights and health. 'OCEU/CUPE 1750 will continue to stand in solidarity with other public sector unions currently negotiating collective agreements. The union remains concerned about the ongoing anti-union measures being pursued by the Ford Government and will remain vigilant in defending workers' rights and fair bargaining processes,'it said. WSIB strike Jeff Lang, WSIB's president and CEO, previously said that their 'number one priority has always been — and continues to be — helping the people who depend on us.' 'I am proud of our team's work the last few weeks and am very excited for everyone to come back together so we can keep supporting Ontarians who need us,' he said over the weekend in response to the tentative collective agreement. Lang thanked Ontarians for their patience, adding the organization is committed to 'delivering better, easier, and faster service.' During the strike, digital services on the workplace safety board's website remained available for submitting claims, accessing benefits, and managing account information. Terms of the agreement have not been disclosed. CP24 reached out to WSIB for comment on Sunday, but we have not heard back. With files from CTV News Toronto's Jermaine Wilson
National Post
04-07-2025
- Business
- National Post
Union President Visits Kingston to Close Out Week of Escalating WSIB Strike
Article content KINGSTON, Ontario — As the province-wide Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) strike enters a critical phase, Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU/CUPE 1750) President Harry Goslin will join striking frontline workers on the picket line in Kingston on Friday, July 4 at 12:00 p.m. to close out the week. Article content The visit follows growing frustration with political interference and misinformation — including a misleading employer post and direct texts from Premier Doug Ford repeating employer talking points. Article content Where: Article content When: Article content 'Premier Ford told me he understood our concerns — but then turned around and lied to our members,' said Harry Goslin, President of the Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU/CUPE 1750). 'He texted workers directly with a recycled offer and tried to pass it off as new. That's not leadership — that's manipulation.' Article content The employer's public post this week references an 'offer', but it is not new. It is the same proposal tabled weeks ago with no changes or improvements. Meanwhile, WSIB has refused to meet with the union despite being offered time by the mediator. The mediator himself was unaware the employer had gone public with its so-called offer, underscoring how disconnected the post was from actual negotiations. Article content 'This is a PR stunt — not a serious effort to bargain,' said Goslin. 'We're showing up. We're tabling formal offers. We're working through issues. But WSIB continues to delay and distract.' Article content The union has also raised red flags about WSIB quietly outsourcing union work during the strike — including a pilot program that allows private healthcare contractors to bypass unionized staff and contact employers directly, a role traditionally held by WSIB Return-to-Work Specialists. Article content 'WSIB would rather contract out public services behind closed doors than offer a fair deal to its own workers,' Goslin added. 'And now the Premier is helping push their message — texting workers directly in the middle of a strike, spreading confusion instead of offering solutions.' Article content More than 3,600 OCEU members — including case managers, return-to-work specialists, and support staff, remain locked out across Ontario. They are fighting for fair wages, safe workloads, and an end to reckless privatization. The union is scheduled to return to the table Friday morning and will continue pressing for a real offer that can be brought to a vote. 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
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Union President Visits Kingston to Close Out Week of Escalating WSIB Strike
KINGSTON, Ontario, July 04, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As the province-wide Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) strike enters a critical phase, Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU/CUPE 1750) President Harry Goslin will join striking frontline workers on the picket line in Kingston on Friday, July 4 at 12:00 p.m. to close out the week. The visit follows growing frustration with political interference and misinformation — including a misleading employer post and direct texts from Premier Doug Ford repeating employer talking points. Where:WSIB Office – 1475 John Counter Blvd, Suite 300, Kingston, ON When:Friday, July 4 at 12:00 p.m. EST "Premier Ford told me he understood our concerns — but then turned around and lied to our members," said Harry Goslin, President of the Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU/CUPE 1750). "He texted workers directly with a recycled offer and tried to pass it off as new. That's not leadership — that's manipulation." The employer's public post this week references an "offer", but it is not new. It is the same proposal tabled weeks ago with no changes or improvements. Meanwhile, WSIB has refused to meet with the union despite being offered time by the mediator. The mediator himself was unaware the employer had gone public with its so-called offer, underscoring how disconnected the post was from actual negotiations. "This is a PR stunt — not a serious effort to bargain," said Goslin. "We're showing up. We're tabling formal offers. We're working through issues. But WSIB continues to delay and distract." The union has also raised red flags about WSIB quietly outsourcing union work during the strike — including a pilot program that allows private healthcare contractors to bypass unionized staff and contact employers directly, a role traditionally held by WSIB Return-to-Work Specialists. "WSIB would rather contract out public services behind closed doors than offer a fair deal to its own workers," Goslin added. "And now the Premier is helping push their message — texting workers directly in the middle of a strike, spreading confusion instead of offering solutions." More than 3,600 OCEU members — including case managers, return-to-work specialists, and support staff, remain locked out across Ontario. They are fighting for fair wages, safe workloads, and an end to reckless privatization. The union is scheduled to return to the table Friday morning and will continue pressing for a real offer that can be brought to a vote. mb/cope491 View source version on Contacts For more information, please contact: Bill ChalupiakCUPE Communications Representativewchalupiak@ 416-707-1401 Sign in to access your portfolio
National Post
03-07-2025
- Business
- National Post
Premier Ford Engages with OCEU President as Strike Disruption Deepens: Union Expresses Optimism Following Direct Conversation
Article content TORONTO — As the WSIB strike enters a critical phase, Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU/CUPE 1750) President Harry Goslin received a personal call from Premier Doug Ford this week. The conversation marked a notable development in the ongoing labour dispute that has left more than 3,600 frontline WSIB workers off the job for over two months. Article content In the call, President Goslin raised the union's key concerns — including wages, crushing workloads, the outsourcing of 26 Ontario jobs to a U.S. company, and the deteriorating quality of service for injured workers and employers across the province. Article content Article content Premier Ford acknowledged the impact of the strike, including sharing the story of a single mother on the picket line struggling to support her family. He confirmed he had already asked Labour Minister David Piccini to connect with WSIB and help bring the parties together. He also committed to speaking with the Minister again — this time specifically about the outsourcing and layoffs tied to Iron Mountain, which the Premier indicated he would look into further. Article content 'We had a direct and productive discussion,' said Goslin. 'It's clear the Premier understands this strike is taking a toll, not just on our members, but on injured workers, Ontario businesses, and the broader compensation system.' Article content The union emphasized that WSIB's refusal to return to meaningful bargaining is prolonging a strike that's delaying services for injured workers and disrupting employers' ability to return staff to work. Despite being employer-funded, not taxpayer-funded, WSIB has yet to table a deal that OCEU can bring to a vote. Article content 'I told the Premier we didn't want this lockout, and that we remain ready to get back to the table to negotiate a fair deal,' said Goslin. 'We just need a meaningful offer — one that reflects the value of our members' work and keeps Ontario jobs here, not outsourced.' 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
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Frontline WSIB Workers Rally at Ford's Office Amid Growing Strike Tensions
TORONTO, July 02, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Harry Goslin, President of the Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU/CUPE 1750), will join striking Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) workers on the picket line outside Premier Doug Ford's constituency office at 823 Albion Road in Etobicoke on Thursday, July 3, between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. ET. This picket follows new revelations that WSIB has begun outsourcing core work performed by frontline union members, despite an ongoing province-wide strike now entering its seventh week. Over 3,600 OCEU members have been walking the line across Ontario, standing up against chronic understaffing, stagnant wages, and the erosion of public services through privatization. The strike marks the first in the WSIB's 110-year history. Where:823 Albion Road, Etobicoke, ON (Premier Doug Ford's constituency office) Time:Between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. ET "The Ford government is allowing WSIB to quietly outsource union jobs in the middle of a legal strike," said Goslin. "That's a betrayal of public trust — and a direct threat to every injured worker depending on a strong, stable, and public compensation system." Despite mediated talks, the WSIB has refused to table a final offer. The union's bargaining team remains available around the clock to reach a fair agreement. "We're calling on Premier Ford and WSIB leadership to get serious," said Goslin. "Stop the outsourcing, get to the table, and settle this strike before any more damage is done." 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
