OCEU/CUPE 1750 Demands Urgent Meeting with Ministers Piccini and Mulroney as WSIB Strike Enters Second Month

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--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.

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.

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.

“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.”

The letter details the mounting impacts of the strike:

• Significant delays for injured workers in accessing health care and return-to-work services
• Rising claim duration rates that threaten WSIB’s funded status
• Growing mental health stress among WSIB staff
• Widespread disruption to services used by employers and workers across the province

The union is demanding that both ministers meet with them without delay and stop the political interference that has brought bargaining to a standstill.

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