WSIB fix falls short: union leader says workers deserve full restoration

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Ford government’s move to restore one of several longstanding cuts to Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) benefits is welcome, but far from enough to make up for years of cuts for injured workers, says a CUPE leader.

Harry Goslin, president of CUPE 1750, the Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU), is urging the government to reverse the rest of the nearly 30‑year‑old cuts that continue to disadvantage injured and ill workers. These include the cap on insurable earnings, a 50% reduction to retirement income benefits, cuts to prevention services and more.

Yesterday’s announcement by Labour Minister David Piccini brings Ontario in line with other provinces by improving loss‑of‑earnings benefits and extending supports past age 65 – changes that advocates have demanded for years.

“Premier Ford says he’s for the little guy – and there’s no one more vulnerable than an injured or ill worker,” said Goslin, whose local represents 3800 WSIB and Health and Safety Association employees.

Goslin noted that 1.56 million Ontario workers still lack access to WSIB benefits: “Minister Piccini says no worker should have to worry about paying their bills while recovering. Yet because of his inaction, one in four workers in this province is told to fend for themselves when they’re hurt on the job.”

The reversal of the 1990s Conservative cuts is long overdue, he said, pointing out that “at any time over the last eight years, the government could have restored these benefits. Instead, they used massive WSIB surpluses to deliver $21.5 billion in savings to employers.”

Ontario still has far more workers without WSIB coverage than all other provinces combined; approximately 60% of the 2.5 million Canadian workers without workplace liability insurance are in Ontario.

“This isn’t about resources – it’s a political choice to leave 1.56 million workers without protection, and it’s simply not right,” said Goslin.

WSIB employees themselves recently endured a historic seven‑week strike to address crushing workloads that continue to affect service quality for WSIB claimants and workers’ own mental health.

Goslin renewed his call for universal WSIB coverage, full reversal of past cuts, and an end to the government’s hiring freeze as WSIB prepares for an increase in claims resulting from the new benefit rules.