WSIB Workers Hold Media Availability After Collective Bargaining Stalls

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.

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