Latest news with #injuredWorkers
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
March of Dimes Canada Flags Harm to Injured Workers as WSIB Strike Disruption Grows
TORONTO, July 04, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU/CUPE 1750) is responding to a letter received today from March of Dimes Canada (MODC) — a leading national charity supporting people with disabilities — highlighting the growing consequences of the ongoing WSIB lockout. In the letter addressed to OCEU President Harry Goslin, MODC outlines major disruptions to critical services for injured workers since the WSIB locked out its frontline workforce on May 21, 2025. These include: A complete halt in Employment Placement Service referrals from WSIB between May 20 and June 16, 2025 — with only limited referrals resuming since. Suspended clinical assessments and coaching services, impacting people facing barriers to work due to health conditions, physical impairments, and psychological changes. Delays in plan approvals, extension requests, and invoicing, due to the unavailability of WSIB staff to provide necessary direction. MODC noted, it typically receives at least 40 employment referrals per month, all aimed at helping injured workers regain financial independence and reduce reliance on WSIB benefits. The organization also conducted nearly 600 clinical assessments last year. Many of these services are now stalled, despite MODC staff being ready and willing to deliver them. Crucially, MODC called on the WSIB, the union, and the Government of Ontario to prioritize a resolution that restores services and protects the well-being of injured persons. "We thank March of Dimes Canada for stepping forward and naming what we've been hearing from workers, service providers, and employers across the province — the lockout is creating real consequences for people who rely on WSIB to rebuild their lives," said Harry Goslin, President of OCEU/CUPE 1750. "The longer this goes on, the more harm is being done. It's time for action." The union continues to call on WSIB leadership and the Ontario government to act urgently. More than 3,600 frontline WSIB workers remain locked out, with unresolved issues around workloads, stagnant wages, and the outsourcing of Ontario jobs at the heart of the dispute. pp/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
04-07-2025
- Business
- National Post
March of Dimes Canada Flags Harm to Injured Workers as WSIB Strike Disruption Grows
Article content TORONTO — The Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU/CUPE 1750) is responding to a letter received today from March of Dimes Canada (MODC) — a leading national charity supporting people with disabilities — highlighting the growing consequences of the ongoing WSIB lockout. Article content In the letter addressed to OCEU President Harry Goslin, MODC outlines major disruptions to critical services for injured workers since the WSIB locked out its frontline workforce on May 21, 2025. These include: Article content A complete halt in Employment Placement Service referrals from WSIB between May 20 and June 16, 2025 — with only limited referrals resuming since. Suspended clinical assessments and coaching services, impacting people facing barriers to work due to health conditions, physical impairments, and psychological changes. Delays in plan approvals, extension requests, and invoicing, due to the unavailability of WSIB staff to provide necessary direction. Article content MODC noted, it typically receives at least 40 employment referrals per month, all aimed at helping injured workers regain financial independence and reduce reliance on WSIB benefits. The organization also conducted nearly 600 clinical assessments last year. Many of these services are now stalled, despite MODC staff being ready and willing to deliver them. Article content Crucially, MODC called on the WSIB, the union, and the Government of Ontario to prioritize a resolution that restores services and protects the well-being of injured persons. Article content 'We thank March of Dimes Canada for stepping forward and naming what we've been hearing from workers, service providers, and employers across the province — the lockout is creating real consequences for people who rely on WSIB to rebuild their lives,' said Harry Goslin, President of OCEU/CUPE 1750. 'The longer this goes on, the more harm is being done. It's time for action.' Article content The union continues to call on WSIB leadership and the Ontario government to act urgently. More than 3,600 frontline WSIB workers remain locked out, with unresolved issues around workloads, stagnant wages, and the outsourcing of Ontario jobs at the heart of the dispute. 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
National Post
30-06-2025
- Business
- National Post
Petition to End WSIB Lockout Surpasses 3,000 Names as Strike Drags On
Article content TORONTO — As the WSIB strike continues into another week with no resolution in sight, the Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU/CUPE Local 1750) has delivered a petition signed by more than 3,300 frontline workers, CUPE members and concerned community members to the WSIB board of directors and general counsel. The petition calls for an immediate end to the ongoing lockout and urges WSIB leadership to finalize a fair deal. Article content The petition represents the voices of WSIB employees who remain steadfast in their commitment to serving injured workers across Ontario despite ongoing management delays and refusal to table a final offer. Included among the signatories are frontline workers and a local business owner highlighting concerns over the auto-approval of claims. Article content Article content 'We are at a critical juncture where WSIB management's delay tactics are harming injured workers and their families, while pushing our members to the brink,' said OCEU president Harry Goslin. 'This petition sends a clear message: WSIB workers and the communities they serve demand an immediate end to the lockout and a fair deal that respects their essential role.' Article content The Union is calling on WSIB leadership to provide a fair and comprehensive deal by Canada Day, July 1, to bring an end to this harmful disruption and allow workers to return to their vital roles supporting injured Ontarians. Article content The Union urges the WSIB board to take responsibility for resolving the labour dispute without further delay. The ongoing disruption continues to impact injured workers, employers and frontline staff who deserve stability and fairness in the workplace. 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
National Post
12-06-2025
- Business
- National Post
WSIB Strike Hits Three Weeks as Management and the Ford Government Fails to Act on Mounting Crisis
Article content TORONTO — Today marks three full weeks on strike for 3,600 members of the Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU/CUPE 1750), in the first full-scale work stoppage in the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board's (WSIB) 110-year history. Article content As the Ford government continues to ignore calls to resolve the dispute, the impact on injured workers is growing. Internal WSIB communications recently obtained by the union quietly acknowledge growing claim backlogs contradicting public statements from management and raising further concerns about cuts to service standards. Article content 'This crisis didn't need to happen, and it can be resolved if WSIB and the Ford government show leadership,' said Harry Goslin, President of OCEU/CUPE 1750. 'Instead, they're sitting on the sidelines while injured workers face delays, Ontario jobs are outsourced, and frontline staff are stretched beyond their limits.' Article content The strike stems from dangerously high workloads, chronic understaffing, stagnant wages, and a toxic workplace culture. Making matters worse, WSIB has offloaded critical Ontario jobs to U.S.-based firms like BetterUp and Iron Mountain, undermining public services and costing local jobs. Article content 'We're here because our members care deeply about supporting injured workers, but they are workers too,' said Goslin. 'They deserve safe workplaces, fair pay, and respect. That's what this strike is about.' Article content WSIB has spent over $14.5 million on U.S. consultants while refusing to invest in the frontline services Ontarians depend on. Meanwhile, workers on the picket lines have faced harassment, lockouts, and surveillance rather than a fair offer at the table. Article content Despite the disruption, OCEU/CUPE 1750 remains ready to negotiate and end the strike, but the employer must stop the intimidation, end the outsourcing, and return to the table with a deal that addresses the core issues. Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Article content Article content
National Post
10-06-2025
- 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
