-

OCEU Vice President April Leblanc to Join WSIB Strike Picket Line in Thunder Bay

THUNDER BAY, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April Leblanc, Vice President of the Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU/CUPE 1750), will join striking Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) workers on the picket line at the corner of 605 Sibley Drive and Balmoral Street, near the Tim Hortons, in Thunder Bay on June 26, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.

Leblanc’s visit comes as more than 3,600 frontline WSIB workers remain on strike across Ontario — now stretching beyond two months in the first labour disruption in the Board’s 110-year history.

The Thunder Bay picket is part of a province-wide mobilization effort aimed at increasing public and political pressure on WSIB leadership to deliver a fair and respectful contract for staff who support injured workers every day.

Where:

  • 605 Sibley Drive and Balmoral Street (near Tim Hortons), Thunder Bay

Time

  • 9:00 a.m.

“We’re proud to have April Leblanc stand with our members in Thunder Bay,” said Harry Goslin, President of the Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU/CUPE 1750). “Her presence underscores the strength and solidarity behind this strike — and the urgent need for the WSIB to come to the table with a fair deal. The delay lies entirely with senior leadership.”

Despite ongoing mediated talks and a union team ready to negotiate 24/7, WSIB has failed to present a final offer.

“We’re calling on the WSIB to show leadership and get this resolved before Canada Day,” added Goslin. “It’s time to reach a fair deal and restore stability for injured workers across Ontario.”

mb/cope491

Contacts

For more information, please contact:
Bill Chalupiak
CUPE Communications Representative
wchalupiak@cupe.ca
416-707-1401

Canadian Union of Public Employees


Release Versions

Contacts

For more information, please contact:
Bill Chalupiak
CUPE Communications Representative
wchalupiak@cupe.ca
416-707-1401

More News From Canadian Union of Public Employees

School Library Funding Uncertainty Leaving Students and Schools in Limbo

HALIFAX, NS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Concerns are growing over continued uncertainty surrounding whether city council will maintain funding for school librarians in the upcoming school year. Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 5047 President Shelley McNeil is calling on councillors to publicly clarify their position before staffing and school planning decisions are affected. “School librarians are not extras,” said McNeil. “They are part of the learning infrastructure students rely on ever...

No Deal Reached at CUPE Long Term Care Table

HALIFAX-KJIPUKTUK, Nova Scotia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Long term care workers represented by CUPE and government representatives bargained early into morning today; however, no deal was reached. “It’s disappointing. We went to the table, presenting two counter offers with different wages that would bring our lowest paid workers closer to a living wage, but were met with little movement,” said CUPE Long Term Care Coordinator Kim Cail. “The new offer, which expires in 2028, was better than the last, bu...

CUPE, Government to get back to the table

HALIFAX, NS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Long term care workers represented by Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and government representatives have agreed to return to the bargaining table this afternoon, following 4 weeks of strike. “We’re happy to hear that the government is willing to get back to the table,” said Long Term and Community Care Committee Chair Christa Sweeney. “We look forward to negotiating in good faith and reaching a deal that everyone can be happy with.” CUPE and the governme...
Back to Newsroom