Proposed changes to the workers’ compensation system are being called a “major attack” on workers.
The Saint John District Labour Council held an emergency meeting on Tuesday night to discuss a WorkSafeNB task force report released in July.
Mike Davidson, a national representative with the Canadian Union of Public Employees, was one of more than 100 people in attendance.
Davidson told our newsroom some of the changes would prevent the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Tribunal from overruling policies which violate legislation, which he said would eliminate accountability and transparency.
“I think what they [WorkSafeNB’s Corporate Board] are really trying to get at is to eliminate the legislation of the workers’ compensation benefits so that they don’t have to be bound by any legislative requirements on benefits and they can just make up policies at will,” Davidson said.
CUPE’s Mike Davidson calls the proposed changes a “major attack” on the workers of #NewBrunswick. He says they will strip the powers of the independent Workers’ Compensation Appeals Tribunal. pic.twitter.com/e5a8cctUA4
— Brad Perry (@BradMPerry) September 18, 2018
The provincial government launched the task force to address rising assessment rates and create a sustainable system.
WorkSafeNB premiums are currently set at $1.70 — a 53 per cent increase from their all-time low of $1.11 in 2015 — while rates in neighbouring Nova Scotia are at $2.65 and, according to Davidson, have been consistent for several years.
Some say the tribunal’s decisions have contributed to an unsustainable system, but Davidson said it would not be unsustainable if the assessment rates had not been slashed.
“The assessment rates were dropped down way too low, and compared to Nova Scotia, we had about $139 million that’s been neglected to the injured workers’ fund, along with approximately $134 million in corporate rebates,” he said, noting WorkSafeNB kicks money back to employers when the investment fund is fully funded.
The #SaintJohn District Labour Council is holding what they’re calling an emergency meeting for unions to talk about the effects of proposed changes to the Workers’ Compensation Act. pic.twitter.com/ScKQI7GCgd
— Brad Perry (@BradMPerry) September 18, 2018
Davidson said the increased premiums are replacing those funds and will likely stabilize next year, so there is no need to change legislation.
He said the unions want to meet with government after next week’s election to explain what the proposed changes would mean for workers.
(Photo: Brad Perry/Acadia News)
