On August 19, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) announced more than 450 job cuts across Ontario and plans to close offices in Thunder Bay, North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Timmins, Kingston, Windsor, Guelph, St. Catherines and Waterloo.
OPSEU/SEFPO President JP Hornick and First Vice-President/Treasurer Laurie Nancekivell sent the following letter to WSIB President and CEO Jeffery Lang to express deep concern about the impacts of these cuts on injured workers.
Dear Jeffery Lang:
Re: Impact of WSIB Office Closures and Layoffs on Injured Workers
We are deeply concerned about the formidable difficulties that injured workers will face over the recently announced office closures and layoffs at the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). The closures will make it more difficult for injured workers to get the help they desperately need. They will face greater barriers, especially those with disabilities, limited access to technology, transportation challenges or urgent financial needs.
We also have profound concerns over how these layoffs and office closures will adversely affect services that are already backlogged and struggling to keep up with growing demand. Fewer staff will inevitably lead to even longer response times, increased caseload pressures, delays in decisions and overall reduced support for injured workers (who already struggle to navigate a complex system). These issues can have lasting effects and create additional stress for injured workers and their families.
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union/Le Syndicat des employés de la fonction publique de l’Ontario (OPSEU/SEFPO) represents some 200,000 frontline workers. Our members work for the Ontario government, in community colleges, in the healthcare sector, for the LCBO and in a wide range of agencies in the broader public sector. When our members are injured in the workplace, they require timely, accessible and knowledgeable support.
The WSIB has a responsibility to ensure that injured workers come first. We ask you to reconsider these changes and to engage in meaningful consultation with the affected workers, unions and community partners. The WSIB must have a clear plan to ensure acceptable access to services throughout Ontario.
Injured workers deserve a system that is accessible, responsive and accountable. Office closures and layoffs risk turning back the clock at a time when injured workers need more support in their lives, not less.
We would be open to meet with you to discuss this vitally important matter. We look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
JP Hornick, President and Laurie Nancekivell, First Vice-President/Treasurer Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/SEFPO)