” Group arrives at City Hall during journey to Queen’s Park” / Trevor Terfloth (Sarnia Observer, May 26 2016)
On day two, the bikers complete the 90k from Chatham to Sarnia by mid-afternoon – “the wind kept us on schedule…” The second year for the Justice Ride, Hudon hopes that will be a third and a fourth ride and that it will grow, with other injured workers participating. Referring the the $2 billion the WSIB is pulling each year from the system, lawyer Brian Killick (Neighbourhood Legal Services) explained employers are being required to contribute less while rider Peter Page noted this funding strategy means the additional moneys found to lower the unfunded liability are being made on the backs of injured workers through benefit cuts and denied claims…
“Cyclists raise awareness for injured workers” / Briana Carnegie (Blackburn News, May 26 2016)
At a stop en route to Sarnia, St Clair Township Mayor Steve Arnold greets the Justice for Injured Workers riders and signs the Big Book. The Ride aims to raise awareness of the aggressive cuts being made to injured workers’ benefits, says rider Peter Page : “It’’ not just the injured worker who suffers, it’s the whole family that suffers … “Break-ups, we suspect suicides, people turning to drugs because of their pains, and are drinking. A lot of social ills that happen from having a workplace accident.”
“Injured worker advocates cycle into C-K” / Trevor Terfloth (Chatham Daily News, May 25 2016)
Ever since he lost his left leg, Richard Hudon wants those injured on the job to know they’re not alone… Interviewed on their first day on the road, Richard and Peter Page discuss why they and worker advocate Allen Jones are undertaking the trip. As well as outreach, they are also protesting WSIB plans to give employers a $2 billion cut in rates rather than funding for injured workers’ loss of earnings benefits and health care needs… [photo of Richard Hudon and customized bike]
“Second annual bike ride coming through Chatham-Kent May 25-26” / Vicki Gough (Chatham Daily News, May 17 2016)
Local spokesperson Derry McKeever said the riders will be drawing attention to the WSIB plan to withdraw $2 billion annually from the employer-funded system that sustains the workers compensation benefits required by injured workers. He noted that WSIB staff cutbacks have left fewer staff to oversee programming, resulting in long waits and denials of benefits. Local injured workers are invited to share experiences at the two planned stops in Chatham Kent, one at the Unifor regional office and one the UAW Hall in Wallaceburg…
“Cyclists raising awareness about the condition of Ontario’s workers’ compensation system” / Barbara Simpson (Sarnia Observer, May 14 2016)
A trio of injured worker advocates are biking an 8-day trek through southwestern Ontario to draw attention to WSIB’s proposed plans to reduce employer premiums by up to 45 per cent in the coming years (and what this means for the injured worker’s fair compensation). Sandy Kinart, of the Victims of Chemical Valley committee, invites the community to welcome the Justice for Injured Workers riders and bike with them through the area. A local event organized by the Sarnia & District Labour Council, Sarnia’s OHCOW clinic, Victims of Chemical Valley and Community Legal Assistance of Sarnia will include a visit to the memorial and a meet and greet BBQ at the OHCOW clinic on Kendall St…