‘Wrong decision’: WCB surplus distribution criticized by Manitoba union

The Manitoba Federation of Labour is criticizing the Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba for a $122M surplus being given to employers.

A union representing Manitoba workers is criticizing a decision by the Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba (WCB) to distribute a surplus to employers.

The corporation announced Thursday it will distribute $122 million in rebates to employers who pay into WCB.

“This distribution will support the Manitoba economy and offer employers the opportunity to reinvest in safer workplaces,” WCB Chair Colin Robinson said in a news release Thursday.

The corporation confirmed roughly 30,300 employers will receive the money.

Manitoba Federation of Labour (MFL) criticized the move, saying it sends the wrong message.

“The WCB doesn’t have a mandate to be an economic driver,” MFL president Kevin Rebeck said. “Its mandate is to protect workers, to invest in prevention, and to help workers when they’re injured or through workplace tragedies.”

The measure was touted by the provincial government Thursday as a way to help businesses impacted by tariffs from the United States and China.

Rebeck said he sees the decision as taking money away from efforts to keep workers safe.

“I think this is the wrong decision,” he said.

“To give a reward to all businesses, regardless of their safety record, is not a reasonable thing to do. If you’re going to look at giving something back to businesses, at a minimum, it should only go to businesses who have taken the steps to be safety certified and are showing they’re making their businesses safer.”

Rebeck noted the decision comes days after the National Day of Mourning – an occasion where workers stop to remember people who have been killed or injured on the job. Rebeck said 18 employees died in workplace accidents or incidents in Manitoba last year, while there were 25,000 workplace-related injuries.

“It says to me that we need to do a much better job on prevention, on investing and keeping people safe, on making sure they have proper training, on making sure employers have the proper protective equipment for them, and that they’re using it,” he said.

When asked by CTV News Winnipeg for comment on the union’s concerns, WCB said SAFE Work Manitoba leads multiple prevention initiatives to improve worker safety.

“These include investing in six industry-based safety programs, delivering consulting services to high risk workplaces, and running programs that help reduce injuries and build strong safety cultures,” a spokesperson said in a written statement.

“We are committed to using all available tools to enhance safety for Manitoba workers.”