PTSD
offi cially
recognized as
occupational
disease in
Manitoba
WINNIPEG — Changes to
the Workers Compensation
Act in Manitoba recognizing
post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) as a work-related occu-
pational disease will come into
effect Jan. 1.
"PTSD causes tremendous
pain and suffering to those af-
fected by it," said Premier Greg
Selinger.
"This first-in-Canada legisla-
tion will offer all workers who
have experienced traumatic
events in the workplace the sup-
port they need to heal and get
back to work."
When a worker who has ex-
perienced a traumatic event on
the job is diagnosed with PTSD,
the Workers Compensation
Board will presume his condi-
tion was caused by the job au-
tomatically.
The new bill will extend cov-
erage and benefits to all work-
ers eligible under the Workers
Compensation Board who are
diagnosed with PTSD by a medi-
cal professional.
This will ensure timely access
to compensation and support
services, with the long-term goal
of reducing the stigma attached
to mental illness, he said
"This legislation is an impor-
tant recognition of the fact that
not all debilitating injuries are
apparent or easy to document,
and will help victims of PTSD get
the treatment they need as soon
as possible," said Kevin Rebeck,
president of the Manitoba Fed-
eration of Labour.
"We can do no less for injured
workers."
Ontario could be the next
province to recognize PTSD as
a workplace illness for first re-
sponders, if a private member's
bill passes through the house.
The bill is scheduled for debate
in February and has passed first
reading.
Alberta already has similar
legislation in place around work-
ers compensation.
Unifor,
Ontario
Northland
ratify
agreement
NORTH BAY, Ont. — Uni-
for Local 103 and the Ontario
Northland Transportation
Commission have ratified a col-
lective agreement for five bar-
gaining units.
The union represents 450
members working throughout
northeastern Ontario.
Members voted 88 per cent in
favour of the deal.
Ontario Northland an-
nounced its shop craft employ-
ees would return to work on
Dec. 16, 2015, following the rati-
fication.
"This agreement provides
stability for employees and our
business," said Ontario North-
land president and CEO Corina
Moore.
"It will help us attract more
remanufacturing and repair
work to North Bay and continue
with the enhancement of our rail
maintenance centre in Co-
chrane."
LABOUR BRIEFS
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