WSIB, union say they've reached tentative deal
More than 3,000 workers have been on strike since May 22
More than a month after talks broke down and workers hit the picket lines, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) and the Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU) say they have reached a tentative agreement.
About 3,600 members of the 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 WSIB announced the tentative deal in a news release on Saturday.
"We thank Ontarians for the patience they've shown us during the labour disruption," WSIB president and CEO Jeff Lang said in the statement. "Our team is committed to delivering better, easier, and faster service to Ontarians and we can't wait to get back to doing what we do best — helping people."
The statement did not provide any details about the agreement.
On Sunday, CUPE said its members have voted to accept the tentative deal and will return to work on Monday.
"I am proud of my co-workers and the strength of our union, we are a critical safety net for Ontario workers and Ontarians spoke up, sending thousands of messages to the WSIB leadership," Harry Goslin, president of OCEU/CUPE 1750, said in a statement.
CUPE 1750 said in an earlier statement that no further details of the agreement will be made public until a ratification vote takes place in the coming days.
"Our members were clear — they wanted real investments in frontline staffing, a stop to outsourcing Ontario jobs, and safer workloads. While we'll be presenting the full details to our members first, I can say this, our bargaining team believes we've made meaningful progress on those priorities," said Goslin.
The WSIB provides workplace injury and illness insurance to more than 5.3 million people in more than 300,000 Ontario workplaces, according to the board's statement.
As WSIB service returns to normal, the board says people can continue to go online to report an injury or illness, submit documents for existing claims, register a new business, access clearances or see up-to-date claim, payment and health benefit information.