Manitoba Federation of Labour President Kevin Rebeck has released 2 reports highlighting issues of significant concern.🚨
➡️ “With Manitoba’s worker compensation employer premiums already being the lowest in the country, Manitoba’s unions are disappointed that the Workers Compensation Board (WCB) is choosing to distribute $122 million in rebates to employers when there are very clear needs for the WCB to do much more to prevent workplace injuries and deaths.”
➡️ “The WCB’s own data shows that most workers who file a claim for mental health injuries suffered from burnout at work are not getting the help that they need,” said Rebeck. “Despite 31 excessive workload claims being made by workers in 2024, fewer than five had their claims accepted. This means that, at best, 13 per cent of claims made last year were accepted, which is pathetic.”
➡️ “Rebeck noted that the number of excessive workload claims made by workers nearly doubled from 2023 to 2024, with 16 claims made in 2023. He suggested that this might be due to growing awareness of the WCB’s policy change to start accepting excessive workload claims that came into place on May 1, 2023. He added that the growth in awareness and claims made highlights the need for the WCB to go back to the drawing board to ensure workers who suffer burnout on the job are not falling through the cracks”
While psychological Illness and injury is a growing concern for all workers, studies have demonstrated that Firefighters are at 4x the risk (over 40%) compared to general public (10%) of recieving a mental health diagnosis.
Firefighters in Winnipeg and across Manitoba are in desperate need of appropriate resources.
It’s time to act.
To help us spread awareness on this growing crisis within Manitobas Fire Service and our communities.
