A month into a province-wide strike, more than 3,600 frontline employees of Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) are escalating pressure on the agency’s leadership, citing mounting delays in claims processing and insurance-related services.
Members of the Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU/CUPE 1750) delivered a formal letter and petition on June 24 to the WSIB board of directors, urging immediate intervention to resolve the impasse.
The union claims that the strike, now in its second month, is significantly disrupting the delivery of workplace insurance services across the province. Delays are reportedly affecting both injured workers and employers reliant on timely claims adjudication and benefits administration.
In the letter addressed to WSIB General Counsel David Luther, the union accuses the employer of failing to table a final contract offer and engaging in unfair labour practices. The union also alleges violations of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (WSIA), including concerns over the increased use of automated claim adjudication systems that may bypass proper review and risk compromising claim outcomes.
“Our members are responsible for critical functions in Ontario’s workers’ compensation system,” said Harry Goslin, president of OCEU/CUPE 1750. “Prolonged disruption in these services harms not only the staff but also the workers and employers who depend on the WSIB for financial support and timely decisions.”
The petition, signed by striking employees across the province, calls on the Board to address workload issues, stagnant wages, and the broader impact on service delivery. The union argues that excessive workloads are leading to higher-than-average rates of anxiety and depression among staff, which could further undermine service quality.
The strike’s potential long-term impact on Ontario’s workers’ compensation framework remains uncertain. In the meantime, key insurance processes, including benefit payments, return-to-work planning, and employer assessments, may continue to face disruption.
WSIB has not issued a formal response to the union’s latest demands.
