CUPE 1750 members on the picket lines in Thunder Bay - (CJ Goater/Acadia Broadcasting)
The Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) and the union representing many of their employees are scheduled to return to the bargaining table.
OCEU/CUPE 1750 members initiated legal job action on May 21 after negotiations came to a halt.
The union hoped to continue conversations on Wednesday, but that ultimately did not happen.
“WSIB claims to care about the wellness of their employees and the injured workers we serve but their actions show us the opposite,” said OCEU/CUPE 1750’s President Harry Goslin. “If the WSB truly cares, they would make getting back to the bargaining table a priority without delay.”
According to the union, talks are scheduled to take place at the Sheraton Conference Center in Toronto on Thursday morning.
“Our members remain united, despite the attempts by the employer to divide and intimidate us,” said Chief Steward for the union, Nicole Francis. “We’re hoping the employer will take bargaining seriously this time and come prepared to work with us to find a fair deal for our members.”
In the region, union workers have been on strike since last Thursday.
On Monday, picketers were joined by fellow CUPE members from CUPE Local 2486 and Rod McGee, vice president of the OSBCU.
“CUPE 2486 is proud to stand on the line with our brothers and sisters,” said McGee. “These members deserve respect, fair wages and fair working conditions, but for some reason, their employer is refusing to meet them eye to eye at the table. With the rise in inflation and cost of living, it’s clear that these members need to make real gains, and WSIB needs to acknowledge that.”
Meanwhile, the WSIB says they are continuing to provide service amid the strike action.
“When someone is injured at work, they need to know that the WSIB is here to help, and we are,” said WSIB President and CEO Jeff Lang. “Since the strike began, we have continued to help people recover and return to work because that’s job one for all of us.”
Since the strike started, the WSIB has continued to operate with non-union staff and hundreds of union members who have elected to continue working rather than strike.
“We have answered thousands of calls, processed hundreds of claims, and continue to make income replacement payments to people off work because of an injury,” added Lang. “I’m so proud of this team and look forward to our full team being back together so we can keep supporting Ontarians who need us.”
