A number of Community Legal Clinics are teaming up with the newly-formed Grey Bruce Injured Workers’ Group to bring a host of legal and educational services to injured workers in the region. The group – which will meet monthly – aims to gather the region’s injured workers at a launch-event on Thursday November 1st at 12:30pm at 1717 2nd Ave East, Suite 101.

“The climate of cutbacks that has existed for the last 20 years has been particularly hard on injured workers,” says Willy Noiles, president of the Ontario Network of Injured Workers’ Groups (ONIWG), “we need to stick together, and gatherings like this one help to show people that they are not alone.”

The Injured Workers’ Community Meeting will provide public education, peer-support, and one-on-one legal advice to people who may have questions about their compensation issues. Families are encouraged to attend as well.

The event will feature a presentation by injured worker activist Margery Wardle, on her involvement in a project to take the WSIB to court over mental health issues. It will also have a discussion with people from across Ontario are fighting back against an unfair workers' comp system with the #WorkersCompIsARight campaign. Light refreshments will be provided.

The event is also seen as an opportunity to bring together a broad coalition of workers, activists, and advocates. “We welcome health and safety advocates and injured workers’ activists to join us,” says local injured worker, Jo Anne. “Our aim is to defend the rights of all and provide a safe space for injured workers to come together for support and information.”

The event takes place at the OPSEU Member Centre (BDO Building) – (1717 2nd Ave East, Suite 101, Owen Sound) from 12:30pm to 3pm. Participants are encouraged to register by emailing Jo-Anne at [email protected]. The event is strictly scent free and nut-free.

source: media release