June 1, 2010 - Injured Workers' Day
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.
It commemorates June 1st 1983 when thousands of injured workers came here to speak against the government's proposal to eliminate the permanent disability pension. The government listened and set aside the proposal.
Injured Workers' Day also celebrates working together as a community. They remind politicians of the historic trade-off that is the basis of the workers' compensation system: workers giving up their right to sue in return for fair compensation for work-related injuries or illnesses.
Last year a survey of injured workers revealed nearly 4 times the rate of poverty in Ontario. But injured workers' requests for improvements were rebuffed by new concerns alleging poverty of the WSIB. Cuts to pain killing medication, a review of the WSIB vocational rehabilitation program, statements by the new WSIB President and Deputy Minister of Labour all express sympathy for reducing compensation for the injured. Where does that come from? This year, in a lively and colourful event, injured workers spoke out about the "elephant in Queens' Park" with skits, musicians, poets, puppets and props to deliver the message. We trust it was heard!
Statements:
- Injured Workers Day Statement 2010 ⁄ Canadian Labour Congress (June 1, 2010)
- Injured Workers Day - June 1, 2010 ⁄ OPSEU (May 20, 2010)
- Paul Miller (MPP-Hamilton East, Stoney Creek) introduces the injured workers' petition [Hansard, June 1, 2010]
- Bill Murdoch (MPP-Bruce,Grey,Owen Sound) raises the plight of injured workers in the House after talking to vigil participants outside [Hansard, May 31, 2010]
News reports:
- "Injured Workers' Day a fight for basic rights -
Protestors denounce cuts to medication, call for improved working conditions"
Elena Serra. Tandem Online (Corriere Canadese) June 6-13
"We've been coming here for 27 years. How much longer do we have to fight?" It was an emotional day on Tuesday ... - "Injured workers demand better compensation system in Ontario." ⁄ John Bonnar (June 4, 2010) Rabble.ca
- " Nurses rally on 27th anniversary of Injured Workers' Day "[ video] ⁄ Ontario Nurses Association (June 1, 2010)
- "Injured Workers Day rally in St Catharines" ⁄ St Catharines & District Labour Council (May 31, 2010)
