Injured Workers Day - June 1, 2011
May 18, 2011
On June 1st every year, injured workers and labour activists
gather at Queen’s Park in Toronto and at other locations in cities across
the province to mark Injured Workers’ Day. Every year we remind legislators
that workers compensation is NOT a “favour.” Rather, the system established
almost 100 years ago was supposed to provide fair compensation for injured
workers in exchange for a worker’s right to sue an employer for injuries
suffered because of work.
This year Injured Workers Day comes at a time when there are
increasing cutbacks of injured workers’ benefits and aggressive efforts by
the WSIB to reduce claims and payments. And more attacks on workers’
compensation policy and legislation that will harm injured workers are
expected. It also comes in the context of a generalized attack on workers’
rights and social programs in Canada, the United States and around the
world. The recent economic crisis has become an excuse to improve conditions
and support for business while cutting costs for government programs and
forcing down wages, working conditions, benefits and rights for workers.
Workers’ Compensation benefits will continue to deteriorate
until people push back. Let’s build solidarity this June 1st with injured
workers, within the labour movement and with other movements for social
justice. Join us for the demonstration in Toronto or create one in your
community. Join our ongoing efforts to unite for fundamental reform of the
workers’ compensation system in Ontario.
For more information on Injured Workers Day, visit:
http://www.injuredworkersonline.org/Documents/IWHP1_IWDay.pdf
Injured Workers Day rally
Queen's Park, Toronto
Outside the Ontario Legislature
Wednesday June 1, 2011
11:00 am
In 10 years, the WSIB…
-
Paid $2 billion to employers in rebates
-
Reduced employer premiums for WSIB coverage by 27%
-
Cut injured worker benefits by 20% compared to the
cost-of-living
Come and tell Premier McGuinty to stop this unfairness!
Download event poster
