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TORONTO, Dec. 10, 2015 /CNW/ - Canada's largest union in the private sector expressed hope today that the nomination of the Ontario premier's chief of staff to be president of the province's Workplace Safety and Insurance Board signals a renewed emphasis on the needs of injured workers.
"Injured workers in Ontario and across the country need to know that their needs are a priority for government," Unifor National President Jerry Dias said.
"We hope the nomination of someone as prominent in the Ontario government's staff as Tom Teahen is a positive signal in that regard."
Dias said Unifor has found that it has been able to work with Teahen, who has served as chief of staff to Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne for almost three years, on issues affecting workers in the province.
He said he hopes that the constructive relationship continues as Teahen prepares to move into a new role at the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, or WSIB.
"Workers need to know that if they are hurt on the job, the WSIB will be there for them and their families," Dias said.
"We look forward to working with Tom Teahen to make sure he is aware of the issues injured workers and their families are facing."
Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing more than 310,000 workers, including 156,000 in Ontario. It was formed Labour Day weekend 2013 when the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union merged.
SOURCE Unifor
