FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, May 29, 2015
Injured Workers’ Day Rally at Queen’s Park to Stop the Cuts to Workers’ Compensation
(TORONTO, ON) ─ On Monday, June 1, the Ontario Network of Injured Workers’ Groups (ONIWG) and the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) are marking the 33rd annual Injured Workers’ Day with a rally at Queen’s Park, followed by a march to the Ministry of Labour.
“Our workers’ compensation system is in a state of crisis,” said ONIWG President Eugene Lefrancois. “Just like we’re seeing with social programs and public services struggling with cuts across the board, a regime of extreme austerity reigns at the WSIB and this has meant a full-fledged assault on people who have been injured or made ill at work.”
What: June 1st Injured Workers’ Day Rally and March
Who: Injured workers joined by the Ontario Federation of Labour
Where: Rally on the south lawn of Queen’s Park, followed by a march to the Ministry of Labour
When: Monday, June 1, 2015 starting at 11:00 am
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/908903835834572/
“Cuts to benefits and changes to policy have thrust injured workers and their families into poverty and hardship,” said OFL Secretary-Treasurer Nancy Hutchison. “Workers refuse to accept any more cost-cutting on the backs of injured workers, and we’re taking to the streets to make our voices heard. It is time for Ontario’s compensation system to serve the very people it is designed to protect.”
The following organizations have endorsed this event:
Canadian Labour Congress, Ontario Federation of Labour, Toronto & York Region Labour Council, Steelworkers Toronto Area Council, OPSEU, PSAC Ontario, CUPE Ontario, Workers United Canada Council, Ontario Nurses Association, CUPW, CUPW Toronto Local, UFCW Canada, ATU Local 113, London & District Injured Workers’ Group, Bright Lights Injured Workers’ Group, Women of Inspiration, Chinese Injured Workers’ Group, Injured Workers Action for Justice, Barrie & District Injured Workers’ Group, Niagara Injured Workers’ Centre, Manitoulin & North Shore Injured Workers’ Group, Workers’ Action Centre, Ontario Coalition Against Poverty, Justicia for Migrant Workers, Freedom 90, South Asian Women’s Rights Organization, ODSP Action Coalition, Niagara North Community Legal Assistance, Toronto Injured Workers’ Advocates Group, ACORN Toronto, CESAR, Grey Bruce Labour Council, Barrie District Labour Council
The Ontario Network of Injured Workers’ Groups (ONIWG) is a provincial organization, representing workers who have been injured or made ill on the job since 1991. For more information, visit: www.injuredworkersonline.org
The Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) represents 54 unions and one million workers in Ontario. For information, visit www.OFL.ca and follow the OFL on Facebook and Twitter: @OFLabour.
-30-
For further information:
Aidan MacDonald, Injured Workers Consultants (IWC) Community Legal Clinic: 647-833-6722 or MacDonald@lao.on.ca
Joel Duff, OFL Communications Director: 416-707-0349 or jduff@ofl-org.flywheelsites.com
