MGEU wants WCB coverage extended to entire workforce

'It would create a level playing field for employers.'

Winnipeg (2 May 2008) - The Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union (MGEU/NUPGE) is urging the government of Premier Gary Doer to extend Workers Compensation Board (WCB) coverage to all workers in the province.

In a submission to the board as part of an ongoing consultation process, the union says the existing compensation system is failing to pay medical expenses and lost wages of all workers who suffer on the job injuries, even though it was originally designed to do so.

"Not all workers in Manitoba are covered by the Workers Compensation Act (WCA)," the union says, noting that the act dates back to 1917 and thus does not recognize many new occupations created over the years.

For example, the shift to white collar jobs from blue collar has introduced "many cases of repetitive strain and other disorders" that did not exist at the time but are common in the modern work world, the union notes.

"Many of the workers employed in these newer industries lack protection for wages lost to a workplace injury. Currently, about 25-30% of Manitoba’s workers have no income protection through the WCB. This is also the case with some of the MGEU membership. For example, workers at the Winnipeg Clinic do not receive WCB coverage."

Extending coverage to a greater number of occupations would have many advantages, MGEU argues.

"It would create a level playing field for employers. An extension of coverage would reduce competitive disadvantages between covered and non-covered employers who compete against each other. In short, the MGEU sees no disadvantages whatsoever in extending coverage to 100% of workers," it says.

"Furthermore, costs associated with preventing, treating and compensating workplace injuries would be spread across a larger pool of employers. As the WCB covers the costs for provincial workplace safety and health initiatives, those who are not part of the system currently enjoy the benefits of these initiatives without bearing any of the costs associated with them.

"Extending coverage would also benefit workers who are exposed to similar hazards in like industries by ensuring that they receive the same level of insurance. Continuity of coverage would be enhanced by providing workers with the ability to change jobs within Manitoba without losing WCB protection. Extending coverage would also move Manitoba into the mainstream by ensuring that workers engaged in occupations that are compulsory elsewhere would be covered in Manitoba as well." NUPGE