CUPE 1750 members on the picket lines in Thunder Bay - (CJ Goater/Acadia Broadcasting)
The Workplace Safety Insurance Board’s (WSIB) first strike in its 110-year history is entering its third week.
Roughly 3,600 unionized employees with the Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU/CUPE 1750) are on the picket lines awaiting an agreeable collective bargaining agreement.
According to the union, internal WSIB communications have quietly acknowledged a growing claim backlog, contradicting public statements.
“This crisis didn’t need to happen, and it can be resolved if WSIB and the Ford government show leadership,” said Union President Harry Goslin. “Instead, they’re sitting on the sidelines while injured workers face delays, Ontario jobs are outsourced, and frontline staff are stretched beyond their limits.”
Some of the main concerns being negotiated include high workloads, understaffing, and wage increases.
Another major concern is the fact that the WSIB has offloaded jobs to U.S.-based firms.
“We’re here because our members care deeply about supporting injured workers, but they are workers too,” said Goslin. “They deserve safe workplaces, fair pay, and respect. That’s what this strike is about.”
The union says they remain ready to negotiate a deal.
“This strike can end tomorrow,” said Goslin. “It’s time for WSIB and the Ford government to stop delaying and start fixing what’s broken.”
