MEDIA ADVISORY: WSIB workers hold media availability after collective bargaining stalls

Event Information

Begins: 22 May 2025
Location: Toronto, ON

TORONTO, ON –(COMMUNITYWIRE)– After weeks of 14-hour days at the bargaining table, the union representing workers at the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) spent the long weekend negotiating with the employer. The bargaining team for OCEU/CUPE 1750 is demanding that the employer take meaningful steps to reduce the dangerously high workloads which are driving up rates of depression and anxiety among their members. The WSIB has given rebates of $4 billion to employers this year but won’t invest any of the remaining billions of dollars of surplus to improve working conditions within the organization or expand access to the 1.56 million workers in Ontario not currently covered by the WSIB.

Despite a promising step to extend the negotiating period to May 21st at midnight, the union and the employer remain at an impasse on the fundamental issues impacting over 3600 union members at the WSIB. The union is in a legal strike position since 12:01 am May 21st.

“Our members need the employer to work with us to reduce these workloads,” said Harry Goslin, President of OCEU/CUPE 1750. “We came to the table ready to work through these issues and get a deal, but instead we learn the shocking truth that employee health and safety is not a priority.”

“Our members are ready,” said Nicole Francis, Chief Steward of OCEU/CUPE 1750. “The WSIB employees have never had a labour disruption, but the current senior management team seems determined to change that.”

The union bargaining team will hold a media availability at their picket line outside the WSIB offices at 200 Front Street West on May 22nd at noon to update Ontario workers who rely on the members of OCEU/CUPE 1750 to deliver their WSIB benefits.

Picket lines will also be forming in Kingston, London, North Bay, Ottawa, Sault Ste Marie, St. Catherines, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Timmins, and Windsor. Local spokespeople will be available for local media in those locations as well.

WHAT:
Rally and Media Availability to update Ontario workers on job action at the WSIB

WHO:
Harry Goslin, President of OCEU/CUPE 1750
Fred Hahn, President of CUPE Ontario
Nicole Francis, Chief Steward for OCEU/CUPE 1750
JP Hornick, President of OPSEU
Laura Walton, President of the OFL

WHEN:
12:00 pm, May 22nd, 2025

WHERE:
200 Front Street West, Toronto, Ontario

-30-

For more information, please contact:

Bill Chalupiak, CUPE Communications Representative
416-707-1401
wchalupiak@cupe.ca