Activists call for better protections, coverage on Injured Workers Day

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Toronto – June 1, 2018 – UFCW Canada activists recently joined hundreds of injured workers and advocates from across Ontario at a downtown Toronto rally in support of injured workers' rights.

The June 1 rally was one of many actions marking Injured Workers' Day across the province. With just six days to go before the Ontario election, activists at the Toronto rally marched from the Ontario legislature to the Ministry of Labour offices to send a message to the province’s political leaders and parties that workers’ compensation is a right, not a privilege.

Organized by the Ontario Network of Injured Workers Groups (ONIWG), the rally called for a just Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) system for all Ontario workers, including full compensation for lost wages and an end to the practice of using pre-existing conditions to reduce workers' compensation. It also sought to raise awareness of issues facing injured workers heading into the province’s June 7 election.

"With the provincial election just a few days away, this march is an opportunity to stand up for the rights, dignity, and respect of injured workers by calling on all parties to provide comprehensive coverage to injured workers,” says Debora De Angelis, UFCW Canada Regional Director for Ontario. "We must also continue to press the government to ensure stricter enforcement of safety laws and criminal prosecution of employers who ignore their safety responsibilities," she adds.

For decades, UFCW Canada has been at the forefront of advocating for the rights of injured workers and helping to create safer workplaces across the country. UFCW also provides free health and safety courses – offered through our webCampus platform – that empower members and their families with valuable information and resources for identifying and solving workplace health and safety concerns. To learn more about these courses, click here.