The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) has affirmed its commitment to supporting injured workers despite an ongoing strike by the Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU). Following mediated talks over the weekend that did not yield an agreement, the WSIB is urging the union to return to negotiations with what it terms “fair and realistic expectations.”
The WSIB stated on Monday, that its latest proposals include ‘above-inflation wage increases’ and enhanced benefits for its employees. With Canada’s inflation rate at 1.7%, the WSIB’s offer aims to see over 73% of OCEU members earning more than $100,000 by 2027, an increase from the current 60%. Furthermore, the WSIB has addressed workload concerns, reporting a 60% reduction in average caseloads since 2021 and the addition of 100 net-new staff to the case management team. A joint workload committee with dedicated resources has also been proposed to further alleviate burdens.
Jeff Lang, president and CEO of the WSIB, commented on the situation. “We have an amazing team that does tough but excellent work,” said Lang. “When people are hurt at work, we help them recover and return to what matters, and we’re getting the best results in a decade. I hope our team sees our position as a genuine effort to put this strike behind us and get back to what we do best: helping people.”
Despite the labour dispute, the WSIB remains operational. Since May 22, the organization has processed over 11,000 new claims and issued more than 60,000 payments to individuals unable to work due to injuries. The public can continue to access WSIB services 24/7 via its website, for reporting injuries, submitting documents, accessing claim information, registering businesses, and obtaining clearances. Telephone support is also available Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm, though users may experience longer-than-usual wait times. Response times for non-urgent inquiries are also expected to be affected.
The WSIB serves over 5.3 million people across more than 300,000 workplaces in Ontario, providing wage-loss benefits, medical coverage, and return-to-work support for those who experience workplace injury or illness.
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