Thousands of Ontario care workers are on strike after failing to reach a new work agreement with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).
Beginning Thursday and through Friday, 3,600 case managers, nurses and health specialists will be on a “rolling” strike in cities across Ontario, including Toronto, Ottawa and London. A rolling strike means that only some workers will be off the job at one time to ensure other services can still operate.
The job action comes after the WSIB and Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU), the union that represents the 3,600 employees, have been at the bargaining table for weeks to hash out a new collective agreement.
But after negotiations over the long weekend, the union told the Star it decided to end “in-person talks,” accusing the WSIB of “not making any real attempts to address worker concerns.” The union noted that it was still open to virtual discussions.
“The employer is not making any real attempts to address our concerns,” OCEU/CUPE 1750 communications representative Bill Chalupiak said in an interview.
At issue, according to the union, are worker concerns over “dangerously high” workloads that are leading to worsening mental health.
“Our members need the employer to work with us to reduce these workloads,” said Harry Goslin, president of the OCEU, in a press release Thursday. “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.”
Chalupiak also told the Star that this was the union’s first strike.
For its part, the WSIB said the union has not responded to the employer’s latest offer that includes enhanced benefits and a wage increase above inflation.
“We’re proud that WSIB employees are well compensated in both benefits and wages. We want them to continue to be paid well for the work that they do,” said Jeffrey Lang, WSIB president and CEO, in a Wednesday press release.
The WSIB also claimed that the average case load for a case manager was down 60 per cent from its peak in 2021.
While the strikes Thursday and Friday will “impact some service timelines,” the WSIB said that it will still continue to process claims and pay income support to clients.
