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Work-related injuries down but deaths up

January 15, 2015

A recent study by the Institute for Work and Health, published in the American Journal of Public Health, reports that work-related injuries fell by 30% between 2004-2011. The researchers estimated the incidence of occupational and nonoccupational injury from emergency department records…

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Injured worker out in the cold

January 8, 2015

“Surviving on the cold streets” (video) / Austin Delaney (CTV Toronto News, Jan. 7, 2015) Reporter interviews Mike, a homeless 50-year old former construction worker once earning $60,000 who lost his arm in a workplace accident 8 years ago. The downward spiral…

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Judicial review of WSIAT decision on age discrimination

December 21, 2014

Ontario’s Divisional Court [Gouthro v Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal et al, 2014 ONSC 7289] has upheld the WSIAT decision 512/06 that the age limits on recovery for LOE benefits do not violate the Charter of Rights, arguing that as…

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Meredith justice or private insurance?

December 21, 2014

“Across Canada, worker compensation systems are in crisis.” / Ella Bedard (Rabble.ca, Dec. 15, 2015) A look at how austerity measures and an employer imbalance (especially under experience rating) are undermining Meredith’s historic compromise and hurting injured workers across the country. Delegates…

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Understanding independent medical assessments

December 19, 2014

Independent medical assessors play a key role in many workers’ compensation boards (WCBs), conducting investigations on a range of issues, from medical diagnosis and advice on eligibility for cover and entitlements to extent and duration of disability. Institute for Work & Health…

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Thunder Bay scores another success

December 17, 2014

“New Directions Speakers’ School graduates powerful voices for social justice” ⁄ James Murray (NetNewsledger.com, Dec. 16, 2015) Graduates from the Speaker school, initially set up in 2008 by the Thunder Bay & District Injured Workers’ Group to promote more effective social advocacy,…

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“This travesty cannot continue”

December 16, 2014

“Intent of WSIB skewed by CEO” [letter] ⁄ Jules Tupker (Chronicle Journal, Dec. 16, 2014) (no longer available on newspaper website) Applause for the recent editorial “WSIB savings come at a cost” in Thunder Bay’s Chronicle Journal and outrage at the prospect…

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How the WSIB is failing injured migrant workers

December 16, 2014

“The WSIB’s austerity agenda: deporting injured migrant workers” / Samantha Ponting (RankAndFile.ca, Dec. 16, 2015) The second of a two-part series on how the WSIB has failed in its duty to injured workers focuses on the plight of Ontario’s migrant workers who…

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Following rally, Thunder Bay editorial calls for assessment of WSIB

December 16, 2014

“WSIB savings come at a cost”: Editorial (Chronicle Journal, Dec. 10, 2014) (no longer available on newspaper website) Article reports on Thunder Bay & District Injured Workers’ Support Group rally outside MPP Michael Gravelle’s office to draw attention to impact of WSIB…

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Minister: “we need to remember why we have a (compensation) plan”

December 11, 2014

“Fully indexed benefits coming for injured workers in Ontario” / Patty Winsa (Toronto Star, Dec. 11, 2014) Minister of Labour Kevin Flynn tells demonstrators at the Dec. 8 rally that the province will introduce full cost-of-living increases for injured workers receiving partial…

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