Premier Ford Engages with OCEU President as Strike Disruption Deepens: Union Expresses Optimism Following Direct Conversation
TORONTO — As the WSIB strike enters a critical phase, Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU/CUPE 1750) President Harry Goslin received a personal call from Premier Doug Ford this week. The conversation marked a notable development in the ongoing labour dispute that has left more than 3,600 frontline WSIB workers off the job for over two months.
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In the call, President Goslin raised the union's key concerns — including wages, crushing workloads, the outsourcing of 26 Ontario jobs to a U.S. company, and the deteriorating quality of service for injured workers and employers across the province.
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Premier Ford acknowledged the impact of the strike, including sharing the story of a single mother on the picket line struggling to support her family. He confirmed he had already asked Labour Minister David Piccini to connect with WSIB and help bring the parties together. He also committed to speaking with the Minister again — this time specifically about the outsourcing and layoffs tied to Iron Mountain, which the Premier indicated he would look into further.
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'We had a direct and productive discussion,' said Goslin. 'It's clear the Premier understands this strike is taking a toll, not just on our members, but on injured workers, Ontario businesses, and the broader compensation system.'
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The union emphasized that WSIB's refusal to return to meaningful bargaining is prolonging a strike that's delaying services for injured workers and disrupting employers' ability to return staff to work. Despite being employer-funded, not taxpayer-funded, WSIB has yet to table a deal that OCEU can bring to a vote.
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'I told the Premier we didn't want this lockout, and that we remain ready to get back to the table to negotiate a fair deal,' said Goslin. 'We just need a meaningful offer — one that reflects the value of our members' work and keeps Ontario jobs here, not outsourced.'
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