Hundreds of striking WSIB workers rally in downtown Toronto after talks break down
Appeals of WSIB decisions, meanwhile, remain on hold, leaving injured workers in limbo
Hundreds of striking workers at Ontario's Workplace Safety and Insurance Board rallied in downtown Toronto on Monday, calling on their employer to find a "fair compromise" on outstanding issues.
About 3,600 members of the Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU), also known as CUPE Local 1750, which represents workers at the WSIB, have been on strike for better wages and working conditions since May 22. The union and employer met on Saturday and Sunday in mediated bargaining talks, but talks broke down on Sunday evening.
Thomas Chang, OCEU's vice-president for Toronto, said the WSIB rejected the latest offer.
"OCEU remains available to negotiate, but needs to see a meaningful move by the employer to meet our member core needs," Chang told the rally.
Chang said the mediator has decided to hold off on mediation until both sides come closer together. Picket lines will continue until a deal is reached, he said. The union's bargaining team will provide an update to members this week at a town hall.
In an interview later, Chang said: "We've made significant moves to find common ground on wages, workload and seniority, and they have not come back to the table."
The WSIB said in a news release on Monday that its latest position includes above-inflation wage increases, improved benefits and a commitment to continue to improve workload. It called on the union to return to negotiations with "fair and realistic expectations" to reach a deal.
"When people are hurt at work, we help them recover and return to what matters, and we're getting the best results in a decade," Jeff Lang, president and CEO of the WSIB, said in the release.
"I hope our team sees our position as a genuine effort to put this strike behind us and get back to what we do best: helping people."
Meanwhile, the WSIB said appeals of its decisions continue to be on hold while the strike continues.
Christine Arnott, spokesperson for the WSIB, said in an email on Monday that new claims are still being processed.
"Anyone with an existing claim is continuing to receive any income support and health care they need. Any new claims are being registered the same day and will receive the health care they need and income support if they are off work," Arnott said.
"Unfortunately, appeals of previous claims are on hold until the strike is resolved."
Injured worker says wait has become longer for appeal
At least one injured worker says he feels as though he is in limbo.
Freddy Ilabaca, a former construction worker from Ajax, said he is waiting to learn the outcome of an appeal filed with the WSIB. His back was injured in March 2023 and the WSIB stopped payments in August 2023. He is currently on long-term disability.
Ilabaca is fighting with the help of his union to have the matter resolved.
Now with the strike continuing, his lawyer has told him he needs to wait longer than expected. He said he has children, owns a home and now there is only one income in his family.
"Everything is on hold right now," Ilabaca said.
"To me, it's just like now it's more delayed than it was before. It was hard enough in the beginning just to get an appeal. Now that we have an appeal, now that's stopped. It's frustrating," he added.
"They hold your life in their hands, to be honest. It's nerve-racking because you're like: 'OK, is it going to be yes or no?' You don't know and you're just sitting there and just waiting."