June 1 is Injured Workers Day!
 Every year on June 1, unions, injured workers and other activists rally to help bring recognition to the plight of injured workers and the struggles they face in receiving fair compensation for those injuries. Join us on June 1 at Queen`s Park in Toronto to help us stand up for the rights of Injured Workers.
If you think an accident, injury, illness or onset of pain is work-related you must follow these steps:
Remember: WSIB claims must be filed within six months of the initial incident. Claims filed after six months may only be accepted in exceptional cases.
You have the legal right to report any workplace accident or injury and cannot be told by anyone that you cannot file a claim.
You have the right to be treated by your own health care professional. This could be your family physician, chiropractor or dentist. You choose your initial health care professional when you accept treatment or emergency treatment.
You are not permitted to change to another health care professional without the WSIB’s approval.
If you have questions or need help, contact the Benefits Department at 1-800-267-1977 or benefits@ufcw175.com.
WSIB APPEALSAll timelines are estimates on how long the average file takes to complete the appeals process. Some may take longer than others at certain stages. Once again, please keep a copy of evidence and any relevant detailed notes of all documents relating to your claim. Denial LetterTo appeal a WSIB decision you must have a denial letter from the Board indicating that your claim, or part of your claim, has been denied and the reasons for that denial. The last paragraph of the denial letter will indicate a time limit of six months to appeal the decision. To have a Local 175 Benefits Representative represent you in your appeal, please contact the Benefits Department at 1-800-267-1977 as soon as you receive your denial letter. The Benefits Department will send you authorization forms and a waiver to sign and return along with your letter of denial. ObjectionYour Benefits Representative will inform the WSIB that the Local will represent you in your appeal and submit a completed `Intent to Object` form. Your claim file will be sent to the Access Section of the WSIB where they will copy your claim file and forward it to your Benefits Representative. If your file is sent to you, please contact the Benefits Department immediately.The Access Section will inform your employer of your appeal and the employer will have the option of participating in the appeals process. Upon receipt of your WSIB claim file, your Benefits Representative will review it and complete the Appeals Readiness form. The form is then submitted to your Adjudicator who will review your claim and either reverse their initial decision or send it on to the Appeals Services Division. This process can take up to three months.
Appeals Services Division (ASD)
Files that have been registered in the ASD will be assigned to an Appeals Administrator who will review the Appeals Readiness form and all attached submissions. Appeals may be resolved either through writen submissions or by an oral hearing.
Once a decision is made in writing by the ARO it is the final decision made regarding your claim at the WSIB level.
If your appeal is denied, you may appeal to the WSIB Appeals Tribunal.
Please note, your Benefits Representative will try to have your appeal processed in a timely fashion, however, due to the backlog of claims at the WSIB, your appeal could take over one year to complete.
Locals 175 & 633 – Return to Work Policy
*also available as a download*
UFCW Locals 175 & 633 recognize, and are committed to, their responsibilities to Local Union members with disabilities. The Local Union developed a Return To Work Policy to support this commitment and this Policy now forms part of the operating procedure of the organization.
Locals 175 & 633 are committed to providing a safe and timely return to productive employment for members disabled through occupational or non-occupational injury or illness.
The Local Union’s Policy will assist members in achieving a timely, effective rehabilitation and a positive return to work while maintaining their personal dignity and financial stability.
This Policy will provide an effective process to:
- Identify barriers;
- Review the pre-injury job;
- Review the pre-injury job with accommodation; and
- Review alternate work with the employer.
This Policy is intended to promote effective Return To Work principles by ensuring:
- Early intervention;
- Ongoing communication; and
- An offer of meaningful, sustainable, productive work consistent with the member’s functional abilities without risk of re-injury or risk to others.
Locals 175 & 633 are committed to ensuring that full participation in the Return To Work process will not disadvantage an injured worker or their co-workers. Through the cooperation of all involved parties, every effort will be made to resolve disagreements about the Return To Work through discussions with the Union, the member and the employer.
Participation in Return To Work will not preclude a member with a disability or any other member from receiving rights negotiated under their respective collective agreement.
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