Flynn acts on GE claims

Local activists say labour minister is looking into accepting WSIB claims for GE workers employed when toxins were present at Peterborough plant

Former employees of General Electric who were exposed to carcinogens in the plant – and later got cancer – may soon have an easier time getting compensation from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), say local advocates.

A local group of volunteers has been working for more than a year to convince Labour Minister Kevin Flynn to step in and change the rules so cancer-stricken retirees of GE have better access to compensation.

Lots of these retirees have had their WSIB claims turned down, over the last decade – and many have become too sick to pursue the matter, or they’ve since died.

Enter a local group of volunteers that is pushing the Ministry of Labour to do better.

The Occupational & Environmental Health Coalition – Peterborough has been met with Flynn four times in the last four years.

The last time was on Monday – and the Health Coalition called it a pivotal meeting.

They say Flynn promised to see whether WSIB claims can be accepted as long as the former worker had been employed at GE when the toxins were present (roughly between 1940 and 2000).

If not, the Health Coalition would like Flynn to change the rules so WSIB has to prove the claimant did not get cancer from working at GE (right now, the claimant has to supply evidence that cancer was likely caused by exposure to carcinogens at work).

Heather Brooks-Hill, a co-chairwoman of the Health Coalition, said Flynn has promised to meet with the group again in June to give an update.

“We’re really pleased with that,” Brooks-Hill said.

Although Flynn doesn’t control WSIB, Brooks-Hill said he can give directives – and that’s bound to help.

Every time a former worker’s claim is turned down, it’s a rejection of the idea that workplace toxins at GE made people sick – and Brooks Hill said that’s hard to take.

“It’s not about any amount of money they might get – it’s about acknowledgement,” she said.

She also said Flynn seems concerned – and he’s listening.

Flynn visited Peterborough unannounced, last week, when the Ministry of Labour organized a three-day information session for sick GE retirees who wanted to learn more about filing a claim to WSIB.

Flynn wasn’t available for an interview then or this week.

But his office issued a statement about the recent meeting with the Health Coalition and about the province’s overarching plans to deal with occupational disease.

It says the Ministry of Labour is assembling a dedicated occupational disease response team (to be launched later this year).

“This new team will examine and respond to all aspects of occupational disease – from initial reports, to prevention and training, to enforcement, to helping workers file WSIB claims,” it states.

Regarding the situation of the GE retirees, it says Flynn’s recent visit to Peterborough “was very positive.”

“The minister is looking at options and will be meeting with the Health Coalition again in June. We know we need to move quickly.”