[Community_Media] New WCB Board must put workers' interests first

[Bev Pausche]

The following was sent out by fax December 13, 2002 and is available for use
in your publications.

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December 13, 2002

Interests of injured workers must be number
one priority for new Liberal-appointed WCB Board 

The mandate of the new WCB Board appointed yesterday must focus its
attention on reducing the terrible rate of death and injury on the job and
protect compensation and services for those who are injured at work, says
B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair.

"Last year, 193 people died on the job," said Sinclair.  "Five of them were
in the 15-24 year old age bracket.  Four thousand workers were permanently
disabled and 172,000 new injuries were reported.  This Board will have to
deal seriously with lowering that terrible toll."

Sinclair says that all the Liberal government changes to the Workers'
Compensation System to date have been detrimental for workers, and said any
Board must act independently and follow its mandate to protect workers above
any other consideration.

"We certainly question the imbalance of the new Board.  It makes no sense
that only one out of seven appointed Board members represents the interests
of workers," Sinclair said.  "We will be urging the new Board to chart a
course that improves the safety of workers, respects the people who work at
the Board and puts an end to eroding compensation and services.  If they do
they'll have our cooperation."

"Workers and employers in non-metropolitan communities who pay the same
premium for WCB protection as their counterparts in urban centres have been
hit hard by political decisions to close offices and eliminate jobs," added
Sinclair.  "It's time to put an end to lower standards for workers."

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For more information: Lynn Bueckert 604-430-1421.

opeiu 15




Bev Pausche
Communications Assistant
BC Federation of Labour

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