Attention News/Business Editors:

"Workers' Compensation workers from across Canada meet to discuss crushing workloads and the need for sweeping reforms."

    ST. JOHN'S, May 16 /CNW Telbec/ - A heavy fog has settled over the
historic city of St. John's, NL. But that has not dampened the spirits of
representatives of the major unions representing Workers' Compensations
workers in Canada. The Canadian Union of Public Employees, National Union of
Public and General Employees, and the Public Service Alliance of Canada
represent Workers' Compensation employees in Canada's ten provinces and three
territories.
    The group meets annually to discuss issues that impact both injured
workers and employees of workers' compensation boards. Of particular interest
to the group is the crushing workloads experienced by workers in the boards
across Canada. Heavy workloads impact both the quality and timeliness of
services received by injured workers. It also has a negative impact on the
public delivery of quality compensation services.
    Jeremy Stringer, president of local 28 of the Union of Northern Workers,
a component of the PSAC in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut said, "It is
inexcusable that staff is prevented from doing the kind of job that they are
capable of because of employer indifference to creating manageable workloads."
    The unions have decided to launch a national public awareness campaign to
highlight the issues arising from heavy workloads.
    The group has also reaffirmed a statement called Principles of a Fair and
Comprehensive Workers' Compensation System. The statement calls for sweeping
reforms to the workers' compensation system across Canada to ensure that the
system remains publically delivered by not-for-profit agencies regulated by
legislation.
    CUPE 1750 president Harry Goslin said, "We want to ensure that the system
remains focused on safety and prevention, but ensures comprehensive and fair
coverage for injured workers."
    Sharon Power, from the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public
and Private Employees/NUPGE and host of the event said, "It is important that
the views of the workers who are expected to operate the system be heard and
respected. We are the workers who know where the system is flawed and how it
could be improved."
    "We leave this meeting with a renewed sense of purpose and a
determination to improve the system so that no injured worker receives less
than optimum service," said Sandra Wright, president of the Compensation
Employees Union of British Columbia.

For further information: Sharon Power, President of NAPE, Local 7813,
representing workers at the Workers' Compensation Board of Newfoundland and
Labrador, (709) 746-0993