OCEU/CUPE 1750 Calls on WSIB to Offer Fair Deal Before Canada Day

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With the Canada Day long weekend fast approaching, the Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU/CUPE 1750) is calling on WSIB leadership to stop stalling and bring forward a fair deal for more than 3,600 frontline staff who remain on strike.

Despite claims from WSIB that negotiations are “ongoing,” the union has not received a contact proposal from the employer since June 15. The Union called on the employer to table their best and final offer.

“This lack of meaningful engagement shows Ontario the WSIB leadership has turned their back on the 5.6 million workers covered by the WSIB,” said Harry Goslin, president of OCEU/CUPE 1750. “WSIB owes it their employees to get back to face to face negotiations – not hide behind the mediator.”

Goslin also rejected WSIB’s claim that the union is unwilling to accept a deal.

“We are prepared to accept a fair deal. What we’re not going to accept is an offer that fails to respect the critical work our members do,” he said. “The employer hasn’t presented a ‘yes’ offer – they’ve presented low wages and more study to understand workload. We don’t need more study, we need immediate action. Workers have clearly said no to the status quo.”

The union’s bargaining team remains available 24/7. But the employer’s silence and unwillingness to table a fair proposal have stalled progress – prolonging a strike that continues to impact injured workers and frontline services.

“We’re going into another weekend of disruption because WSIB refuses to act,” Goslin said. “They need to stop hiding behind spin, step up and offer a fair deal before Canada Day.”

OCEU is calling on WSIB’s CEO and board of directors to break the silence, stop the delays and deliver a respectful settlement that reflects the essential work of Ontario’s compensation workers.

mb/cope491