WCB Annual General Meeting (AGM) follow-up

The WCB does not listen to complaints and workers problems.
 
Look at the WCB website and bring up the 2010 webcam video. It explains to everyone that the organization is doing great and they do not have any problems. I thought that the Meredith report was created with rose colored glasses, but the WCB seems to have the same glasses on when dealing with injured workers.
 
Ask WCB a question and expect an answer?

Last year’s WCB AGM rating from Cumming Consulting was poor.
This year’s WCB AGM rating from Cumming Consulting worse than last year.
We heard how good the WCB thinks they are doing. Guy Kerr met with a worker in 2010 and Mike was great! What about the other workers, meeting one WCB selected example of the average worker is not great.

Our question to the WCB was:

·         10.2 % investment returns

·         $628,000 paid to Guy Kerr the WCB  C.E.O.

·         1.4 Billion rebates back to employers

·         Bonuses and raises for WCB staff

Why were the worker’s the only stakeholders with no cost of living increase or that had not financially received any benefit from the WCB success?

Guy Kerr responded and his answer is rated at zero satisfaction.

There were a total of 5 questions asked by the audience before they closed the question period with many people wanting answers.

I was very impressed by the workers that attended the meeting. Gil McGowan from the Alberta Federation of labour was great. Joan a workers wife was impressive as well.

Next year we expect that the AGM meeting will be in Edmonton. More people attending to voice their opinions to WCB and the media that attend is appreciated. The WCB does not appear to want to hear the concerns of the public. The WCB does not make the annual general meeting a priority news event. We expect next year again in June 2012 the annual general meeting and pre registration will be required to enter the meeting. Please show your support and attend next year.
 
The WCB website has the 2010 annual general meeting video available on line for the next month. See the short brief, video to stay enlightened on the WCB. Remember their statistics indicated you are satisfied with the WCB!

Gail Cumming

I have not been able to confirm with WCB any assistance or plan to help injured workers living in Slave Lake. What is WCB's stand on this issue?
Now what? If you can't go to work because you now have no work to go to or you are unable to job search what happens to you the injured worker on compensation. If WCB has estimated your earnings for a job in Slave Lake and there is no work due to the fires in Slave Lake then what happens now?

If you are one of our clients that we represent, we have not been able to reach you and want to know what we can do to help you, where are you?

We encourage injured workers dealing with WCB during this time to please call our office for some guidance regarding the sitatuation.

While it has been busy we took the time and a handful of my staff and I went to Canmore to meet and greet workers. Most were attending the Canmore Pain clinic "Orion Health". We were told by the staff member assigned with the job of meeting us at the clinic not to call the facility "Canmore pain clinic" as it was not the right name. Oh well, I guess google is wrong and their key search words are wrong as well.

The clinic announced that we were in Canmore and not affiliated with WCB or Orion so they were not sure whether we were a legitimate company and to be careful. Another intimidation tactic. It was interesting that we were banned from the property the next day and this was not WCB directed apparently because WCB told me so, and we know that they are suppose to be independent of the clinic. So I sat in the car on a conference call instead of attending a meeting with my worker who requested and required representation. Little do they know that I can be banned but will not be quiet. Intimidated alittle maybe by my presence? 

The number one thing that is apparent is the discrepency between worker rights and entitlement while at Orion Health in Canmore. There are people getting reimbursement for travel and meals at different rates, some are flying in to Calgary, some are bussing it, some can go home on weekends or have families visit, and some are alone for 6 week period while attending the program. We realize that all injuries are different and some people can not sit on the bus or they have longer trips, but the significance of the different pay structure,  payments and entitlement that clients are aware of by word of mouth should be a concern for WCB.

We also were told that a person claiming to be a representative showed up in Canmore a week before our scheduled plan to greet workers and he was handing out his business cards. Apparently his name is Dan and I can confirm we are NOT affiliated with this person. Our staff members are all listed and named on this website.  

All in all it was a success going to Canmore. We were lucky to meet some great workers, gave some advice to those we could not be of assiand our services were explained to many people.We will be back this summer to see how it going in Canmore for workers so call our office or email us if you are interested in meeting the next time we are in town.   

Concern of the day:
The WCB has legislation to recognize the severe, critical and chronic illness and injuries.

Permanent total disability is automatic for some injuries such as the loss of eyes, bilateral amputations. What about other illness andinjures such as cancer]is now looking at goal setting for the year and there is no goal to review the impact of the decisions on the workers. I was told today by a supervisor that one of our client's claim is not accepted because the employer is upset and pressuring WCB to deny the claim. Where is this right and why are employers not letting WCB do their job. Why is WCB allowing employers to pressure front line staff and influence the decison making process?

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Change is on the way:
After being on the outside looking in for several years, it is apparent that the WCB staff changes, attitudes change and philosophy changes. This does not change legislation and policy and only the interpetation and approach to decision making. We are increasing staff and submitting more appeals than ever and change is on the way at Cumming Consulting. We will be asking the media to help bring awareness of the difficulties and flaws of the system.

"Meet and greet":
We will be arranging meetings throughout the province "meet and greet" us so we can talk about your concerns. WCB  has not done this with workers they only meet with groups of employers "stakeholders" to hear their concerns. We will listen to your concerns. We plan on lobbying for government support for change at WCB.

WCB ANNUAL MEETING:
We will be attending the annual general meeting of the WCB in Calgary on June 16 2011 and encouraging Albertans that are injured or not, to attend. WCB affects everyone including the healthly working people, medical professionals, families, friends and coworkers. We encourage everyone rally to the meeting by calling the WCB and 780 498 3999 and ask for the corporate communication department and register to attend the meeting   (we will update the direct phone number once obtained).

Concern of the day:
The WCB is now looking at goal setting for the year and there is no goal to review the impact of the decisions on the workers. I was told today by a supervisor that one of our client's claim is not accepted because the employer is upset and pressuring WCB to deny the claim. Where is this right and why are employers not letting WCB do their job. Why is WCB allowing employers to pressure front line staff and influence the decison making process?

 

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