-

March of Dimes Canada Flags Harm to Injured Workers as WSIB Strike Disruption Grows

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU/CUPE 1750) is responding to a letter received today from March of Dimes Canada (MODC) — a leading national charity supporting people with disabilities — highlighting the growing consequences of the ongoing WSIB lockout.

In the letter addressed to OCEU President Harry Goslin, MODC outlines major disruptions to critical services for injured workers since the WSIB locked out its frontline workforce on May 21, 2025. These include:

  • A complete halt in Employment Placement Service referrals from WSIB between May 20 and June 16, 2025 — with only limited referrals resuming since.
  • Suspended clinical assessments and coaching services, impacting people facing barriers to work due to health conditions, physical impairments, and psychological changes.
  • Delays in plan approvals, extension requests, and invoicing, due to the unavailability of WSIB staff to provide necessary direction.

MODC noted, it typically receives at least 40 employment referrals per month, all aimed at helping injured workers regain financial independence and reduce reliance on WSIB benefits. The organization also conducted nearly 600 clinical assessments last year. Many of these services are now stalled, despite MODC staff being ready and willing to deliver them.

Crucially, MODC called on the WSIB, the union, and the Government of Ontario to prioritize a resolution that restores services and protects the well-being of injured persons.

“We thank March of Dimes Canada for stepping forward and naming what we’ve been hearing from workers, service providers, and employers across the province — the lockout is creating real consequences for people who rely on WSIB to rebuild their lives,” said Harry Goslin, President of OCEU/CUPE 1750. “The longer this goes on, the more harm is being done. It’s time for action.”

The union continues to call on WSIB leadership and the Ontario government to act urgently. More than 3,600 frontline WSIB workers remain locked out, with unresolved issues around workloads, stagnant wages, and the outsourcing of Ontario jobs at the heart of the dispute.

pp/cope491

Contacts

For more information, please contact:
Bill Chalupiak
CUPE Communications Representative
wchalupiak@cupe.ca
416-707-1401

Industry:

CUPE

Release Versions
English

Contacts

For more information, please contact:
Bill Chalupiak
CUPE Communications Representative
wchalupiak@cupe.ca
416-707-1401

More News From CUPE

Local Politicians and Community Members Join Members of CUPE 5102 to Hold Ice Cream Social to Celebrate the Workers at Red Oak Retirement Community in Kanata

OTTAWA, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The members of CUPE local 5102 were proud to invite the wider community to join them in celebrating the hard work their members provide to the residents of Red Oak retirement community in Kanata. The ice cream social at 3501 Campeau Dr. ran from 1PM to 5PM on July 11. Local City Councillor Cathy Curry joined at 1PM to help kick off the celebration. “In my visits to Red Oak Retirement Living, I am always impressed by the beautiful, clean, caring and positive atm...

Bucking an Anti-Union Campaign by Their Employer, Workers at John Ross Robertson Child Centre Vote to Join CUPE

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In the days after CUPE filed an application for certification to unionize child care workers at John Ross Robertson Child Centre (JRRCC) in Toronto’s Avenue Road and Lawrence neighbourhood, the employer circulated an anti-union memo to all workers discouraging them from voting Yes for a union. The memo was full of half-truths and the message was clear: JRRCC did not want a union in their Centre. Workers first started talking about a union months earlier. Unlike many un...

Porter Cabin Crew File Union Application With CIRB

OTTAWA, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Porter cabin crew, with the support of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), have filed an application with the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to certify a union to represent approximately 1,200 cabin crew at Porter Airlines. “Porter cabin crew work hard to keep the public safe in the air and on the ground,” said CUPE National President Mark Hancock. “They deserve a best-in-class contract and union representation, and that’s exactly what they...
Back to Newsroom