Latest news with #WSIB
Business Wire
8 hours ago
- Business
- Business Wire
As Strike Continues, OCEU Sends Letter to Ministers and Engages in Productive Discussion with Labour Minister Piccini
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As the WSIB strike enters its second month, there is renewed hope for progress. The Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU/CUPE 1750) has sent a formal letter to Labour Minister David Piccini and Treasury Board President Caroline Mulroney, urging them to end government interference in bargaining and help bring a fair resolution to the ongoing labour dispute. Encouragingly, during an information picket held Thursday outside Minister Piccini's Seniors Seminar in Port Hope, OCEU President, Harry Goslin, had a productive and constructive conversation with the Minister. 'We had a sincere discussion, and I'm hopeful that Minister Piccini will use his role to help bring the employer back to the table,' said Harry Goslin, President of OCEU/CUPE 1750. 'WSIB workers are ready to get back to doing the work they care about — serving injured workers and protecting Ontario's compensation system. We just need a fair offer we can bring to our members.' In the letter sent this week, OCEU warned that behind-the-scenes directives from the Treasury Board and continued political silence have contributed to a prolonged strike, delaying critical care and services for injured workers and increasing pressure on frontline staff. The union is calling on the government to allow the process to move forward free of political interference. Despite being employer-funded — not taxpayer-funded — WSIB has so far refused to table a fair deal or let members vote on its latest offer. But the union is hopeful that renewed dialogue with Minister Piccini will mark a turning point. 'We're optimistic that with political will and leadership, a final offer can be brought forward that puts an end to this disruption,' said Goslin. 'Our members want to return to work — and they deserve a respectful deal that reflects the essential services they provide.' OCEU continues to push for an immediate return to meaningful negotiations and urges both ministers to help restore stability and fairness to Ontario's workers' compensation system. pp/cope491
National Post
2 days ago
- Business
- National Post
OCEU/CUPE 1750 Demands Urgent Meeting with Ministers Piccini and Mulroney as WSIB Strike Enters Second Month
Article content TORONTO — As the strike at the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) enters its second month, the Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU/CUPE 1750) is calling on the Ford government to stop interfering in negotiations and immediately meet with union leadership to help end the labour disruption. Article content 'This government is trying to use WSIB as a blueprint to impose broader cuts and anti-union policies across the public sector – using injured workers as pawns.' Article content In a letter sent today to Labour Minister David Piccini and Treasury Board President Caroline Mulroney, OCEU President Harry Goslin clearly states the provincial government is directly influencing bargaining mandates behind the scenes, adding that their refusal to act is permitting WSIB to drag things out prolonging the strike. Article content The union warns that behind-the-scenes direction from the Treasury Board, paired with silence from the Ministry of Labour, has stalled resolution efforts and deepened a growing crisis at WSIB – delaying care for injured workers, increasing claim backlogs, and disrupting critical services to Ontario businesses. Article content 'WSIB workers are ready to return to work,' said Harry Goslin, President of OCEU/CUPE 1750. 'But WSIB has refused to table a fair offer or allow members to vote on their final and best offer. This is a deliberate delay strategy, and the Ministers responsible must be held accountable. This government is trying to use WSIB as a blueprint to impose broader cuts and anti-union policies across the public sector – using injured workers as pawns.' Article content The letter details the mounting impacts of the strike: 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
2 days ago
- Business
- National Post
WSIB Strike Set to Surpass One-Month Mark as Employer Stalls Resolution
Article content TORONTO — With more than 3,600 Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) employees poised to pass the one-month mark on strike, the union representing the workers says the agency continues to obstruct a fair resolution – putting injured workers, staff well-being, and the public compensation system at greater risk every day. Article content Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU/CUPE 1750) says it has made repeated, good-faith efforts to bring the strike to an end – including participating in intensive mediated talks and offering significant compromises on core issues. But WSIB leadership continues to delay, reject fair pathways forward, and push proposals that fail to address the real problems front-line workers face. Article content Article content 'We are now heading into the second month of this strike because WSIB won't do the right thing,' said Harry Goslin, President of OCEU/CUPE 1750. 'We've made real movement. We've shown we're ready to deal. But management refuses to listen – to their workers, or to the evidence in front of them about the crisis they've created.' Article content The strike – the first in WSIB's 110-year history – began on May 21 and has disrupted services province-wide. Delays in claims processing are growing. Shortcuts and backlogs are piling up. Meanwhile, a follow-up survey from the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW) found that WSIB staff are reporting rates of anxiety and depression more than double the national average – among the worst numbers OHCOW has seen in a decade. Article content Despite that, the union says WSIB walked away from the most recent opportunity for progress. The employer has the option to present their best and final offer to the union but WSIB squashed that option. Article content 'Bargaining has dragged on since February. What is WSIB waiting for? This could have been over already,' Goslin said. 'Instead of letting their own employees vote, WSIB blocked the process. That's not bargaining – that's sabotage.' Article content OCEU/CUPE 1750 members are fighting for fair wages, safe workloads, and an end to the outsourcing of Ontario jobs to private U.S.-based firms. The union says it is ready to return to the table – but the employer and the Ford government must stop the delay tactics and get serious about reaching a fair deal. Article content 'We're still here. We're not backing down. And the public deserves to know why this strike is still going: because WSIB leadership refuses to fix what they broke,' Goslin said. 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
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
WSIB Strike Set to Surpass One-Month Mark as Employer Stalls Resolution
TORONTO, June 19, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With more than 3,600 Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) employees poised to pass the one-month mark on strike, the union representing the workers says the agency continues to obstruct a fair resolution - putting injured workers, staff well-being, and the public compensation system at greater risk every day. Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU/CUPE 1750) says it has made repeated, good-faith efforts to bring the strike to an end - including participating in intensive mediated talks and offering significant compromises on core issues. But WSIB leadership continues to delay, reject fair pathways forward, and push proposals that fail to address the real problems front-line workers face. "We are now heading into the second month of this strike because WSIB won't do the right thing," said Harry Goslin, President of OCEU/CUPE 1750. "We've made real movement. We've shown we're ready to deal. But management refuses to listen - to their workers, or to the evidence in front of them about the crisis they've created." The strike - the first in WSIB's 110-year history - began on May 21 and has disrupted services province-wide. Delays in claims processing are growing. Shortcuts and backlogs are piling up. Meanwhile, a follow-up survey from the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW) found that WSIB staff are reporting rates of anxiety and depression more than double the national average - among the worst numbers OHCOW has seen in a decade. Despite that, the union says WSIB walked away from the most recent opportunity for progress. The employer has the option to present their best and final offer to the union but WSIB squashed that option. "Bargaining has dragged on since February. What is WSIB waiting for? This could have been over already," Goslin said. "Instead of letting their own employees vote, WSIB blocked the process. That's not bargaining - that's sabotage." OCEU/CUPE 1750 members are fighting for fair wages, safe workloads, and an end to the outsourcing of Ontario jobs to private U.S.-based firms. The union says it is ready to return to the table - but the employer and the Ford government must stop the delay tactics and get serious about reaching a fair deal. "We're still here. We're not backing down. And the public deserves to know why this strike is still going: because WSIB leadership refuses to fix what they broke," Goslin said. 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
Cision Canada
2 days ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
Unifor slams DHL's attempt to evade federal anti-scab law Français
TORONTO, June 18, 2025 /CNW/ - Unifor has responded to a brazen attempt by DHL Express Canada to circumvent new federal labour laws. The company sent a letter to the federal government requesting a special exception from the ramifications of Bill C-58, the anti-scab legislation that comes into effect on Friday. "Let's be clear—DHL is not the victim here. This company locked out its own workers, forcing members to respond with strike action, and now they want the government to override the collective bargaining rights of workers," said Unifor National President Lana Payne. "They chose confrontation. Now, instead of negotiating a fair agreement at the table, DHL is running to Ottawa to ask for special treatment to get around a law designed to protect workers and safeguard the integrity of collective bargaining. Unifor will stand firm, and we expect the federal government to do the same. No exemptions. No bending the rules." Unifor members at DHL Express Canada were locked out by their employer on June 8, after the workers refused to accept concessions put forth by the company. Members were forced to respond with strike action. Anti-scab legislation takes effect June 20, 2025, following years of advocacy by Unifor and the labour movement. It levels the playing field and prevents employers from dragging out disputes by using replacement workers. DHL, it seems, neither wants to negotiate fairly, nor face the consequences of a lockout. DHL has aligned itself with the 'Moving Economies' coalition —a group of employers actively working to roll back workers' bargaining rights and weaken federal protections. This latest request for exception to allow DHL to keep using scabs and/or excessive government intervention in the bargaining process is part of that broader effort to undermine the tools that workers rely on for fair and meaningful negotiations. Throughout bargaining, DHL has demanded significant concessions that would severely hurt workers. These include: Changing the driver pay system in a way that would result in less money for drivers. Forcing drivers to travel up to 100 km just to reach their routes or pick up freight—with no compensation. Proposing language that would allow the company to refuse WSIB and general workplace accommodation requests. Refusing to acknowledge and provide wage adjustments to customer service and other classifications – some of which are just barely ahead of minimum wage. Seeking the ability to lay off employees more easily. No recognition for job loss that may occur through the use of AI. Attempting to reduce the daily minimum guarantee for drivers. Rerouting pickups across the country while cutting pay for owner-operators. The German-based parcel delivery giant's annual profit is roughly $3.3 billion Euro ($4.6 billion CDN) and revenue from its significant and growing North American enterprise is worth approximately $6 billion Euro ($9.4 billion CDN). "DHL's decision to lock us out has already disrupted operations—and they want the government and the public to believe that workers are at fault," said Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier. "The power to resume full service and support customers is entirely in DHL's hands. This is a crisis of their making. The only place this dispute will be resolved is at the bargaining table." Unifor represents over 2,100 DHL Express Canada workers who as truck drivers, couriers, warehouse and clerical workers across Canada, at Locals 114 in British Columbia, 700 in Quebec, 755 in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, 4005 in Nova Scotia, 4457 in Ontario and members in DHL Alberta. Read Unifor's response to DHL's application here. Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 320,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.
