Workers Mark National Injured Workers Day - 2010-05-31

Moncton - The New Brunswick Federation of Labour is marking National Injured Workers Day by calling on the government to make changes to the process injured workers must endure when applying for compensation benefits.

“The government made improvements this past legislative session by exempting firefighters and police officers from the three-day waiting period. We're calling on the next government to extend this exemption to workers in schools, hospitals and nursing homes,” said Michel Boudreau, President of the Federation of Labour.

Injured Workers Day commemorates the events of June 1st, 1983, when thousands of injured workers descended on Queen's Park in Toronto to speak against the government's proposal to eliminate the permanent disability pension. The government listened and set aside the proposal.

“These workers provide indispensable public services and when they are injured on the job, they should be able to apply for compensation benefits immediately. Forcing injured workers to endure a waiting period is inhumane and insulting, “ commented Ron Oldfield, Chair of the Workplace Health and Safety Committee, “These workers and their families deserve compassion and support.”

Join us as we pay tribute to the contribution injured workers have brought to New Brunswick, and demand justice. Workers deserve fair compensation and dignity following workplace injury.


For more information:

Ron Oldfield, Vice-President of the New Brunswick Federation of Labour
and President of the Health and Safety Committee
506-658-1212

Michel Boudreau, President of the New Brunswick Federation of Labour
506-381-8969