Activities - events

Check here for upcoming events of interest to injured workers...

Upcoming ONIWG community outreach meetings, 2012
Keep these dates free. [download Flyer here]

Sarnia - Jan. 11th at 2 p.m. – OHCOW
London - Jan. 12th at 6:00 p.m. [details]
Thunder Bay - Feb. 2nd - public meeting on the KPMG report
Barrie - Feb. 7th at 7 p.m. (Elementary Teachers Union Hall, 24 Saunders Rd. [details here]
St. Catharines - Feb 22nd at 17 Gale Crescent : Meet & Greet 6 p.m.; Presentation 7 p.m.
Windsor - Feb. 27th at 4:30 p.m. at CAW Local 200/444 Union Hall, 1855 Turner Road
Hamilton - Feb. 29th at 6:30 p.m. at RCL Branch 58, 1180 Barton St. E., 2nd Flr.
Thunder Bay - Mar. 1st (discussion of the WSIB Funding Review)

Please contact ONIWG at oniwg@sympatico.ca for more information

February 7, 2012: Action meeting on proposed workers compensation changes for injured workers at IWC
When: Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 10 a.m.
Where: Injured Workers Consultants, 815 Danforth Ave, Suite 411

Get an update on the KPMG proposed changes, hear about recent meetings with MPPs. Plan, learn and have fun in a comfortable environment. Call (416)461-2411 if you have any questions. Hope to see you there...

January 25, 2012: Rally & information picket - Thunder Bay
Stop the attack on injured workers

When: Wednesday, January 25, 4-5 p.m.
Where: outside MPP Michael Gravelle's office, 215 Van Norman St, Thunder Bay

We need to stand up to protect the rights of All workers – both before and after injury or disease. The WSIB is a compensation system…NOT an insurance company. JOIN US…WE NEED YOUR HELP…BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!!! Please call the Thunder Bay & District Injured Workers Support Group at (807)622-8897 for more information.

January 13, 2012: Special meeting at IWC (Toronto) on the KPMG proposals for injured workers!
Join us to discuss how the audit report attacks injured workers and why it is so dangerous ; how you can make your voice heard effectively when talking to the Board, Members of the provincial parliament, and community organizations. Pizza and refreshments provided.

When: Friday, January 13, 10:00 a.m. -
Where: Injured Workers Consultants community clinic, 815 Danforth Ave, suite 411

January 12, 2012: Community outreach meeting in London on injured workers' concerns and the KPMG audit report [Flyer]
This meeting is being hosted by the Ontario Network of Injured Workers Groups (ONIWG) and 2 people are coming from the legal clinic in Toronto to discuss the critical issues facing injured workers including the KPMG report.

If there was ever a time to participate in a meeting, now is that time! The attack on worker benefits has gotten worse and worse and now they are even looking at changing legislation to enable them to subject workers who have been pensioned off or deemed to lifelong scrutiny.

When: Thursday, Jan. 12 at 6:00 p.m.
Where: St Joseph's Health Care London, 21 Grosvenor St, Mount Hope Centre building, St Mary's, Room w020.

This meeting is open to all injured workers and their family members, union activists, health and safety activists and anyone else willing to hear about the issues and have a forum to discuss how best to deal with them.
Please email Wendy Knelsen or call (519)637-0882 or (226) 919-7276 to let her know if you are able to attend (so she can ensure there are enough refreshments for everyone) or need further information.

December 9, 2011: Injured workers' Christmas demonstration : "Justice - not poverty" [Flyer]
Join us on the 20th annual rally for good cheer and other surprises. Minister Jeffrey is invited...Refreshments provided

When: Friday, December 9 at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Ministry of Labour, 400 University Ave, Toronto (just south of Dundas - St Patrick subway

November 14-17, 2011: ONIWG AGM & Conference 2011: " Fighting back to restore your rights & dignity" [registration form]

ONIWG Annual General Meeting : Monday, Nov. 14 from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. at IAVGO, 489 College St, Suite 302
ONIWG Conference : Tuesday, Wednesday Nov. 15-16 [agenda] United Steelworker's Hall, 25 Cecil St, Toronto

November 4, 2011: Health & Safety Award Dinner

Injured worker activists were properly honoured at the annual event organized by the Toronto and York Region Labour Council and the Workers Health & Safety Centre. Also recognized - IWC's Marion Endicott, winner of OFL's ODRT award for excellence in representing injured workers.

October 21-23, 2011: CAW Ontario Workers' Compensation Conference [more details]
The CAW Ontario Workers' Compensation Conference will take place at the CAW Family Education Centre, Port Elgin. The 2011 Workers' Compensation Conference, "Strategies to Deal with New Developments in WSIB Policy and Practice" will review new developments in Ontario workers compensation law and policy including the new work reintegration program and CPP disability appeals - and discuss the deteriorating situation for injured workers.

September 29, 2011: London rally - Injured workers to protest the ongoing attacked on injured workers' benefits

When: Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: in front of the WSIB office at 148 Fullarton St

The organizers will be reimbursing injured workers for parking or bus fare. It is time to do something about this appalling system of abuse and culture of denial! All injured workers, healthy workers, friends, family members, neighbors, union brothers and sisters (feel free to bring your flags in support), and anyone that is a taxpayer is welcome to attend the rally. As more and more workers are being denied benefits under WSIB, workers are forced to rely on social assistance and community resources so this issue affects everyone! Hope to see you there!

September 29, 2011: RAACWI Community Forum [flyer]

When: Thursday, Sept. 29 from 1:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Where: Injured Workers' Consultants, 815 Danforth Ave, Ste 411

Karin Maiwald presents recent research on work re-integration : "Disability Management practices involving the injured worker. What is the idea? What is the result?". To be followed by a discussion on the upcoming Ontario elections - what are the candidates saying about injured worker issues?

September 23, 2011: Protest at Queen's Park [press release]
There's power in numbers! - join the rally outside Queen's Park from 12-4 pm to help fight for change and finally get JUSTICE for injured/disabled workers.

September 7, 2011: Injured worker protests "legal fraud"
Tony Mauro is so fed up that he has decided to take his protest to Queen's Park every day from 10:00 am to noon. Tony is in his seventies, has a very serious disability and a sick spouse. What makes him so determined and upset? For years he has protested the fact that Section 147 allows Old Age Security to be deducted from workers' compensation. If the pre-injury wages were low and happened when inflation was rampant (early seventies), and the permanent disability high, the inclusion of Old Age Security as "income" can reduce workers' compensation.

"One hand gives, the other takes it away". Tony questions why Old Age Security (OAS) which is a universal benefit unrelated to injury, is considered income for the purpose of workers' compensation. OAS relates to age, not disability. One of the sad ironies is that OAS is fully adjusted to inflation, while WSIB/WCB benefits are not. So when OAS goes up with inflation, the worker compensation benefits (not indexed) are reduced!

Tony is well known in the Italian community. Liberal MPP Laura Albanese proposed a private members bill to eliminate the deduction of OAS from workers' compensation benefits, but the bill died as the legislature ended and the election was called. Seeing his compensation cheque reduced again, this month, was the last straw.

Tony wants to take a public stand now, so that the issue won't disappear for good. He will be at Queen's Park every day from 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon with a sign. Please join him if you can. He also said make sure that the candidates in the Ontario election deal with this particular problem and all the other problems that face injured workers.

Click on the photo below to see some of our injured workers at the Labour Day parade

September 5, 2011: Labour Day parade! [Flyer]
Injured workers are invited to join the Steelworkers in the annual Labour Day march.

When: Monday Sept. 5 at 9:30 a.m.
Where: Meet across from 400 University Ave on the SE corner of University and Armory (by Staples)

Remember that if you come you'll get free admission to the CNE so let all your family know about it. If you need more information please call Orlando or Correen at (416)461-2411. If you can bring your car or van to the parade, please let us know ahead of time. Thank you!

June 15, 2011: Injured Worker Public Meeting

When: Wednesday June 15 at 6:00 p.m.
Where: United Steelworkers Hall, 25 Cecil Ave (see map on flyer)

At this meeting, we plan to continue to help build organizational skills; discuss possible actions in preparation for the upcoming election like MPP delegation meetings, petition writing and campaigns. We also expect that injured workers will redefine and restate their demands to the Government.
Light refreshments and TTC tokens will be provided. Please confirm your attendance by June 13th. Call IAVGO at (416) 924-6477

June 13, 2011: RAACWI Community Forum - The role of leadership in the Injured Worker Movement - What can we learn from the past to strengthen our movement in the future? [Flyer]

When: Monday June 13 from 1:00 - 5:00
Where: 519 Church Street Community Centre, 519 Church St (Yonge & Wellesley subway station)

Guest speaker: Robert Storey. Everyone is welcome! Free of charge. For more information or to register, please phone: IWC at (416)461-2411 or email smantis@tbaytel.net

June 1, 2011: Injured Workers' Day

This annual rally of the injured worker community, supported by their advocates and labour, commemorates the day in 1983 when they successfully challenged the government's elimination of their permanent disability pension. It also reminds the MPPs and policymakers of the 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.

So far, there are events planned in Ontario for Thunder Bay, Niagara, Windsor, London and Toronto. Outside of Toronto, events have included an MPP lobby, a public meeting, a barbeque.

Toronto - Queen's Park at 11:00 a.m. [Flyer] ¦ [ONIWG media advisory]- plus vigil from 3 p.m. May 31st
Thunder Bay - rally and BBQ from 11.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lakehead Labour Centre 929 Fort William Rd [Flyer]
Niagara - rally at 4:30 p.m. in front of the MTO building at 301 St Paul St in St Catharines

May 31, 2011: Vigil - "Injured workers are sleepless" [Flyer]

Again this year the Women of Inspiration (WOI) are organizing a vigil for May 31 - the day before Injured Workers' Day. It's an overnight vigil started 5 years ago by the WOI who wanted to make a point: "injured workers cannot sleep and want justice". Interesting conversations with MPPs entering the Legislature always occur and injured workers have long memories...

When: pick a time between 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 31st and 11 a.m. Wednesday June 1st (big turnouts needed especially between 3-5 p.m. and 8-11 p.m.)
Where: Meet us at the south end of Queen's Park by front stairs of the building

Please spread the word and volunteer to be part of the vigil. Even if you come to say hello, and stay a little while, it really helps boost morale. Please check the attached leaflet for the most important times to show up. …And congratulations to the Women of Inspiration for keeping up this important tradition. The women have taken the lead, let's support them, it's our fight!

May 9, 2011: RAACWI Community Forum - Injured Immigrant Worker Study & Prevention is the best medicine [Update: slides from their presentation]

When: Monday, May 9th from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Where: Injured Workers' Consultants, 815 Danforth Ave, Ste 411

Iggy Kosny and Marni Lifshen will present on their work with immigrant injured workers followed by lots of discussion. Everyone is welcome! Free of charge! For more information or to register, please phone: IWC at (416)461-2411 or email Steve at smantis@tbaytel.net

April 28, 2011: Day of Mourning - WHSC List of events across Ontario ¦ Media coverage

Every year since 1984 when launched by the Canadian Labour Congress, Canadians gather on this day to remember those who have died due to work-related causes. Statistics published by the Association of Workers Compensation Boards of Canada on recorded workplace fatalities, put the number of workers' deaths at 15,129 between 1993 and 2009. In Ontario alone, 384 workers died from the job in 2009, with 2.57 workplace deaths occurring daily across the country. Honour the memory of these workers by joining one of the many commemorations across the province, and by advocating for changes that make a real difference in improving occupational health and safety.

April 12-15, 2011: Community meetings on the WSIB Funding Review
You are invited to attend a community meeting to learn more about the WSIB Funding Review and to share your thoughts about the future of the Workers Compensation System and WSIB.

Thunder Bay - April 12 at 7:00 p.m. Lakehead Labour Centre, 929 Ft. William Road
Windsor - April 14 at 3:00 p.m. CAW Local 1973, 3719 Walker Road
London - April 15 at 1:00 p.m. St. Joseph's Health Care London, Mount Hope Centre in the St. Mary's Building, Room W020 - Magnolia Room, 21 Grosvenor St.

Everyone is welcome - the Ontario Network of Injured Workers' Groups (ONIWG) encourage everyone to become involved. The WSIB is worried about the future funding of the system and has begun a formal review. Areas under review – annual cost of living allowances, occupational diseases, assessment rates, incentive programs, system funding & investments. We firmly believe that a system focused on helping injured & disabled workers to recover will, in the long term, be of the greatest benefit to our families, our communities and Ontario. The system has become very complex and adversarial. The ONIWG brief will include recommendations to remove much of the adversarial nature of the system, make it easier to understand and navigate for all.

April 5-28, 2011: WSIB Funding Review public hearings

Public consultations on funding Ontario's workers' compensation system will take place in Toronto, Hamilton, London, Sudbury, Windsor and Thunder Bay. Check here for details of when and where. Some time has been left for walk-ins if you wish to make your views known, or come and support groups making formal submissions.

March 31, 2011: Joint LOARC/RAACWI Teach-In: "Reviewing Prevention and Compensation - what's in it for workers?" [Agenda]

When: Thursday, Mar. 31 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Where: Membership Room (basement) OPSEU Building - 31 Wellesley St E (across from Wellesley subway)

Presentations and panels on worker representation and activism in health and safety prevention and compensation; how to learn from and involve injured workers in collective strategies for prevention; tools to achieve safer and healthier workplaces. Further details to be announced.

March 30, 2011: Hamilton & District Injured Workers Group public meeting on the Funding Review
More details soon! Check back here

March 23, 2011: Injured worker public meeting, Toronto [Flyer]
Come and help set the Injured Workers' agenda for how to change workers' compensation in Ontario. As the Board and politicians have become more and more concerned about the so-called "financial crisis" in the last couple of years, the WCB/WSIB has already been cutting benefits by:

cutting injured workers off benefits much sooner and forcing them to return to unsafe work
telling injured workers that they can heal at work so there is no need to stay at home
telling injured workers they can work even when they have a really bad injury and other barriers to finding work; and
putting workers through useless retraining programs that don't actually get them back to work and then cutting them off or reducing benefits

When: Wednesday, Mar. 23 at 6:00 p.m.
Where: United Steelworkers Hall, 25 Cecil Ave [see map]

As we head into a general provincial election this fall, this is the time to let the politicians know what injured workers are demanding (and have been demanding for years).

March 3, 2011: Thunder Bay & District Injured Workers' Support Group public meeting on the Funding Review
The WSIB is worried about the future funding of the system and has begun a formal review. Areas under review – annual cost of living allowances, occupational diseases, assessment rates, incentive programs, system funding & investments. Everyone is Welcome – Get Informed, Get Involved

When: Thursday, Mar. 3 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Lakehead Labour Centre - 929 Fort William Rd

For more information please call the Support Group at (807)622-8897.

February 28, 2011: International RSI Awareness Day
Workplace injuries such as repetitive strain injuries (RSI's) account for 42% of all lost time claims and 50% of all lost time days.

Toronto: RSI Day demonstration at Queen's Park [Flyer]
Enough is enough! What is the government doing to reduce the number one injury in Ontario?
When: Monday Feb. 28 at noon
Where: in front of the Ontario Legislature, Queen's Park, Toronto
Spnsors: OHCOW, CAW, IWC, OFL, OPSEU, RSI Activist Group, UFCW. For more information email rsiday@rsicanada.org.

Sudbury: The Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers offers the 12th annual RSIPLUS Awareness Day conference.
When: Monday, Feb. 28. from 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Where: eDome, Cambrian College, 1400 BarryDowne Rd, Sudbury - for those outside Sudbury, see website for details on joining the conference online
Registration forms and further information available on the OHCOW website [click here] or contact Trevor Schell at tschell@ohcow.on.ca, phone (705)523-2330.

February 24, 2011: "Breathtaking: A personal investigation into the present-day use of asbestos"
Premiere of a Canadian documentary which takes on the asbestos industry through a moving and personal investigation into the death of Richard, father of director Kathleen Mullen, from mesothelioma (a rare cancer uniquely caused by asbestos exposure). The film also explores the indefensible present-day use of asbestos which Canada still mines and exports for its use in developing countries.

When: Thursday, Feb. 24 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen's Park, Toronto (south side entrance)

This special screening is co-presented by Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW) and Planet in Focus (PIF). It will be followed by remarks by Pat Martin, M.P., and discussion with director, family members and special guests. Pay-what-you-can (proceeds donated) at the door. For more information and to reserve a seat for the screening contact: breathtakingfilm@gmail.com.

February 10, 2011: Bright Lights meeting (all groups welcome)
Taking action to meet the serious challenges of government and Board changes affecting the lives of injured workers.

When: Thursday, Feb. 10 at 10:00 a.m.
Where: IWC, 815 Danforth Ave, Suite 411

February 7, 2011: RAACWI Community Forum - The economics of WCB/WSIB; WSIB Funding Review

When: Monday, Feb. 7 from 1:00 -
Where: Injured Workers' Consultants, 815 Danforth Ave, Suite 411

Discussion and presentations by Dave Wilken, lawyer, and Hugh Mackenzie, economist and research associate with CCPA. Everyone welcome; free of charge.

January 30, 2011: Memorial for Dr Jan Kryspin
The first anniversary of Dr. Kryspin's death is approaching. Dr. Kryspin was a Toronto doctor who treated many injured workers and who supported and advocated for them beyond his medical practice. Fortunato Rao has organised a mass at San Lorenzo Church. After the service we will have refreshments and an opportunity to share stories about a doctor who worked so hard to help injured workers. Everyone is welcome. Please inform anyone who knew Dr. Kryspin or who might want to participate regardless. The telephone number for the church is (416)782-2953.

When: Sunday Jan. 30, 12:45 p.m.
Where: San Lorenzo Church at 2981 Dufferin St. (one light South of Lawrence)

January 11, 2011: RAACWI Community Forum - WCB/WSIB Work Re-integration

When: Tuesday, Jan. 11 from 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Where: Injured Workers' Consultants, 815 Danforth Ave, Suite 411

The new policies and practices will be explored through presentations, analysis and discussion. Guest speakers: Kevin Brown (OWA)and Ellen McEachern (IWH).

December 13, 2010: RAACWI Community Forum - Working with the policy "bureaucracy": Insights of a former policy advisor

When: Monday, Dec. 13 from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Where: Injured Workers' Consultants, 815 Danforth Ave, Suite 411

Additionally a second speaker, Peter Smith, will report on recent research on "no lost time claims". Everyone welcome! Free of charge. For more information or to register, please phone: IWC at (416)461-2411 or email smantis@tbaytel.net

December 10, 2010: Injured workers' 19th annual Christmas demonstration [Flyer] ¦ [New - Photos!]
Let's call for Justice - Not Poverty!

When: Friday, Dec. 10th from 11 a.m. - noon
Where: Outside the Ministry of Labour building, 400 University Avenue, Toronto (just south of Dundas - St Patrick subway)

Join us for good cheer and other surprises. Refreshments to follow at the Health and Safety Legal Clinic. For further information, please call the Ontario Network of Injured Workers' Groups (905)662-7128 or Toronto Injured Workers' Advocacy Group members at (416)461-2411, (416)924-6477 or (416)971-8832.

November 25-27, 2010: OFL/ONIWG Health & Safety and WCB Conference [Programme & registration form] [Agenda ¦ Flyer]
The purpose of this conference is build stronger links between Occupational Health & Safety and workers' compensation issues and activists. Get an update on the Expert Panel, currently reviewing the prevention and enforcement systems for workplace safety in Ontario; learn more on the latest changes in the compensation system; discuss problem areas in Board policy and legislation and lobbying strategies to make the system fairer.

When: Thurs. Nov. 25 - Sat. Nov. 27, 2010
Where: Sheraton Centre, 123 Queen Street West, Toronto

Please complete and return registration with payment no later than November 15, 2010, to Sylvia Stewart, Ontario Federation of Labour, 15 Gervais Drive, Suite 202, Toronto, ON M3C 1Y8. Early Bird discount for those registering before October 1.

November 24, 2010: ONIWG Annual General Meeting
The Ontario Network of Injured Workers Groups holds its AGM and strategy session.

When: Wed. Nov. 24
Where: Sheraton Centre, 123 Queen Street West, Toronto

For further information please contact Steve Mantis smantis@tbaytel.net

November 13, 2010: Chinese Injured Workers' Group meeting [Flyer]

When: Saturday, Nov. 13 from 10:00 a.m. - noon
Where: Injured Workers' Consultants, 815 Danforth Ave, Suite 411, Toronto (Pape or Donlands subway)

You are welcome to join our meeting - looking forward to seeing you!

October 18, 2010: RAACWI Community Forum - The Economics of WCB/WSIB in 2010s : what does it mean for injured workers
Guest speakers: Jim Standford (economist with CAW); Hugh Mackenzie (economist and research associate with CCPA)

When: Monday, Oct. 18, from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Where: Injured Workers' Consultants, 815 Danforth Ave, Suite 411

Everyone welcome! Free of charge. For more information or to register, please phone: IWC at (416)461-2411 or email smantis@tbaytel.net

October 14, 2010: Bright Lights meeting
There are many pressing issues for our community - hear from a panel of experts on what is happening at the government and WCB/WSIB level and discuss your views and responses; get an update on ONIWG activities and ongoing poverty survey, the upcoming session of the speaker school, and participate in a letter writing workshop.

When: Thursday, October 14, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Injured Workers' Consultants, 815 Danforth Ave, Suite 411

September 6, 2010: Calling on injured workers to again join Toronto's Labour Day Parade
As usual we will be marching under the banner of "Justice for Injured Workers". This is an important time to say so, as the Government and WCB/WSIB have another priority - eliminating the "unfunded liability" which the public misunderstands as a "debt". It will be an important message to share with the many workers who will be marching on Labour Day.

When: Monday, Sept. 6th at 9.30 a.m.
Where: University Avenue, just south of Armoury Street (across from the Ministry of Labour, 400 University).

If you want to drive your vehicle in the parade, to transport injured workers who need help, please call Orlando Buonastella or Correen DiFlorio at IWC (416)461-2411)

August 10, 2010: Groundbreaking ceremony for the Milestones of Labour Injured Worker Monument
The Brampton-Mississauga & District Labour Council, representing more than 10,000 unionized workers, hosts a ceremony to begin work on a monument to honour Peel workers who have been killed or injured on the job. [Details of monument]

"Monument honours fallen workers" ⁄ Peter Criscione (Brampton Guardian)

June 29, 2010: Workshop on workers' compensation in Ontario (with interpretation in Tamil)
Injured Workers' Consultants Community Legal Clinic presents a session on Ontario's workers' compensation system, what happens when you get hurt at work, common problems after work-related injury and where to get help. [Flyer - Tamil | English]

When: Tuesday, June 29th from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Where: Bridlewood Branch, Toronto Public Library (2900 Warden Ave.)

Newcomers are welcome; light refreshment will be served. Space is limited so please register with Bridlewood Branch at (416)396-8960 or Settlement Workers at (416)894-2988 or (416) 293-4565 ext 106.

June 18, 2010: RAACWI Community Forum on Adequacy of Benefits and Labour-market Earnings Post-Accident
Do workers compensation benefits cover the wages lost after injury or disease? Guest speaker: Emile Tompa, RAACWI academic lead.

When: Friday, June 18th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: Injured Workers' Consultants, 815 Danforth Ave, Suite 411 (between Pape & Donlands subways)

Everyone is welcome! Free of charge. For more information or to register, please phone IWC at (416)461-2411 or email smantis@tbaytel.net

June 1, 2010: Injured Workers' Day [Flyer] | Vigil, May 31st [Flyer]
Join injured workers and labour for the 27th anniversary of Injured Workers' Day [read the history]. Bring a friend! Bring your family! Bring your union!

Stop the attack on long term disabilities and medical care for injured workers
Stand up for a better workers' compensation system
Sign the injured workers' petition to be handed to the Legislature

When: Tuesday, June 1st at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Queen's Park, Toronto - in front of the Ontario Legislative Assembly building (TTC subway: Queen's Park)

For more information, call IWC 416-461-2411, OFL 416-441-2731, IAVGO 416.924.6477 or TWHSLC 416-971-8832.

May 31, 2010: Injured Workers' Day Rally, St Catharines
When: Monday, May 31st at 4:30 p.m.
Where: 301 St Paul Street, St Catharines

Sponsored by the Ontario Network of Injured Workers Groups (ONIWG). For more information, call 905-934-6233 or email Bruce Allen ballen@cogeco.ca.

May 25, 2010: McMaster Teach-In - "Internal responsibility thirty years later: not yet healthy and still not safe"
The Labour OHCOW Academic Research Collaboration (LOARC) invites injured worker activists in the Hamilton and surrounding areas to attend an important teach-in. Share knowledge with other health and safety activists (researchers, workers, union representatives, and community) about health and safety concerns and strategize how workers can address today's challenges in preventing workplace injuries, fatalities and occupational disease.[More details]

When: Tuesday, May 25th from 9:00 - 4:00 (lunch provided)
Where: McMaster University, Degroote School of Business, Room 505
1280 Main St West, Hamilton, L8S 4L8

To register, please email Wayne Lewchuk at lewchuk@mcmaster.ca

May 20, 2010: RAACWI Community Forum on Labour Market Re-entry.

When: Thursday May 20, 2010 from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Where: Injured Workers' Consultants (815 Danforth Ave, Suite 411).

Special guest Ellen McEachen presents her Labour Market Re-entry (LMR) research study. LMR has been much criticized in the last few years and this research helps to shed a light on this process. We will also explore the alternatives. Everyone welcome! For more information or to register, please phone IWC at 416-461-2411 or email smantis@tbaytel.net

May 19, 2010: Injured workers' public meeting for Greater Toronto Region [Flyer]
After the release of the Auditor General report, the politics of workers' compensation is changing fast! Premier McGuinty and the WSIB want to "save" or "generate" $11 billion.
Does the government expect injured workers to pay again? Come for an evening of information and action. Let's discuss the issues and injured workers' response.

When: Wednesday, May 19 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: OISE Building(Ontario Institute for Studies in Education), 252 Bloor St West, Room 2214 (by St. George Subway)

Sponsored by Ontario Network of Injured Workers' Groups, Toronto Injured Workers Advocacy Group, Bright Lights, Women of Inspiration, Chinese Injured Workers' Group, Latin American Women for Justice, IAVGO, Injured Workers' Consultants, Toronto Workers Health and Safety Legal Clinic.

April 28, 2010 (Wednesday): Day of Mourning - Ontario events
Since the Canadian Labour Congress initiated April 28th in 1984 as the national day of mourning, workers, their families and community partners have gathered on this day in Canada and in almost 80 countries around the world to remember those who have been killed on the job or died as a result of workplace diseases. Details on provincial events will be listed here as they become available:

Province-wide list of community events (compiled by the Workers Health & Safety Centre)
Toronto - Nathan Philips square, 100 Queen St West, at 12:00 noon (Toronto and York Region Labour Council - for information call 416-441-3663 or Enzo Mancuso at 416-522-2386) [Flyer]
Woodbridge - Woodbridge Memorial Arena, at 11:00 a.m. (call Toronto and York Region Labour Council for more information
Hamilton - Hamilton City Hall in front of the Monument to Workers , Bay W and Main St, at 10:30 a.m. (Hamilton & District Injured Workers' Group. For more information call 905-543-9090 )

April 20, 2010: Injured workers' petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario - download here

On June 1st, let's call on the government address workers' compensation concerns and ensure work-related injury and disease do not result in the poverty of injured workers... .

Please print it off and get as many signatures as you can. Then send the completed petitions before June 1st to Bryan Cook, Injured Workers Consultants, 815 Danforth Ave, Suite 411, Toronto, ON, M4J 1L2 416-461-241. Thank you!

March 16, 2010: Bright Lights meeting

When: Tuesday, March 16 at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Injured Workers' Consultants, 815 Danforth Ave, Suite 411, Toronto

Proposed agenda includes speeches from RSI Day, new developments at the Compensation Board (stormy weather ahead?), honouring the memory of Dr Jan Kryspin.

February 26, 2010: RSI Symposium - Making the case for RSI regulation, Toronto
According to the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board statistics, RSIs account for more than 50 per cent of all reported injuries. Workers in all sectors of the economy are developing these disorders. Equally troubling, the numbers of workers developing RSIs show no sign of declining. Beyond the numbers are the incalculable human and social costs of these painful, disabling injuries. Many workplaces have adopted ergonomic solutions aimed at preventing RSIs. Others have not. Injured workers, trade unionists and activists who share a common goal of eliminating RSIs agree ergonomic regulations and their enforcement must be part of any successful prevention strategy. Without them, workers, their families and their communities will continue to suffer.

When: Friday, February 26 from 10 a.m. - 3.30 p.m.
Where: CAW Local 112 Union Hall, 30 Tangiers Road, Toronto.

Symposium sponsored by The Ontario Federation of Labour, Toronto & York Region Labour Council, Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers, The Workers Health & Safety Centre & Injured Workers Consultants

Registration required - to register, send email to: Shan White admin@caw112.on.ca or by phone 416-635-5988 or Enzo Mancuso at enzo@whsc.on.ca or by phone 416-522-2386. Lunch will be provided.

February 8, 2010: RAACWI Community Forum on the recently released Auditor General's report - what it means for injured workers

When: Monday, Feb. 8 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Where: Injured Workers' Consultants (IWC), 815 Danforth Ave, Suite 411, Toronto (between Donlands-Pape subway stations)

A discussion of what the Auditor General says about WCB's unfunded liability in his 2009 report, and what his recommendations could mean for injured workers. Speakers from the injured workers' and labour movement, and the Auditor General's office have been invited. Join us with your questions. For further information, call IWC at 416-461-2411 or email smantis@tbaytel.net.

February, 2010: Speaker's School (Thunder Bay & District Injured Workers' Support Group). Although the Fall session is full, registration is now open for the next session. [Read the Information sheet for more details]

Where: Rm 17, Lakehead Labour Centre, 929 Fort William Rd, Thunder Bay P7B 3A6

Apply now - download the Application form and either mail it to the above address, email it to Robin Faye robin@tbayinjuredworkers.ca, or fax it to 807.622-7869. (Applications will be reviewed late January and applicants contacted)

January 14, 2010: RAACWI Community Forum on Knowledge mobilization - building public awareness through the media

When: Thursday, Jan. 14 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Where: Injured Workers' Consultants (IWC), 815 Danforth Ave, Suite 411, Toronto (between Donlands-Pape subway stations)

Gain a better understanding of the media in ontario - explore how we can get media attention for our issues and research - build skills in working with the media - have fun! Everyone is welcome - free of charge - refreshments served.

January 7, 2010: Vigil for construction workers

The group No One is Illegal-Toronto is organizing a vigil for four construction workers with precarious immigration status who fell to their deaths on Christmas Eve "in one of the worst workplace disasters that Toronto has seen in decades. The swing stage scaffolding they were working on broke into two pieces, plummeting the four workers over 13 stories to the concrete below at 2757 Kipling Avenue. A fifth man is in critical condition and will need medical attention for the rest of his life".

When: Thursday, January 7, 2010, 7pm - 8:30pm
Where: 2757 Kipling Avenue

Buses leave from 252 Bloor St West (closest subway: St George station) at 5:15 p.m. sharp. RSVP by Noon, Jan 6, migrantworkervigil@gmail.com