TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - June 1, 2015) - Coming on the heels of a flurry of media attention around two injured workers who are cycling 600km to raise awareness about the struggles of people injured in the workplace, the Ontario Network of Injured Workers' Groups (ONIWG) is holding a rally today, calling on the Liberal government to stop and reverse the cuts to workers' compensation. The cyclists will open the rally at Queen's Park at 11:00am, and will lead the crowd in a march down University Avenue to the Ministry of Labour.
Injured workers are being cut off benefits at a shocking rate, leading to a massive 133% spike in appeals at the Appeals Tribunal over the past 5 years. Under the watch of Kathleen Wynne's government, injured workers are being thrown into poverty and uncertainty.
"Kathleen Wynne's promise of being the 'social justice Premier' is crumbling before our eyes," says ONIWG President, Eugene Lefrancois. "Austerity, cuts, and freezes have defined her premiership so far - we see it with teachers, the Ontario public service, and Hydro One. This is our front in the battle against austerity, and we won't back down."
Today's rally and march promise to be hard-hitting and colourful, with a broad base of support from organizations including the Canadian Labour Congress, Ontario Federation of Labour, OPSEU, CUPE Ontario, CUPW, UFCW, and the Workers' Action Centre.
"Injured workers have literally broken their bodies building this province, and the system that was created to support them is instead casting them aside and treating them with hostility," says ONIWG Secretary Catherine Fenech. "We still remember the founding principles of our workers' compensation system, and we want the government to help restore them. Today they'll hear our message loud and clear."
Contact Information:
416-333-9428
Aidan Macdonald
647-833-6722