The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) is facing criticism after spending over $14.5 million on a U.S.-based professional coaching company, despite Ontario-based options being available.
BetterUp, a coaching firm based in Austin, Texas, was contracted to deliver staff coaching services for WSIB. The deal has sparked backlash from the Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU/CUPE Local 1750), whose members are currently on strike.
“WSIB is solely funded by Ontario companies that pay for safety training and workplace insurance for Ontario workers. This funding should stay in Ontario, end of story,” said OCEU/CUPE Local 1750 president Harry Goslin.
Union officials say WSIB executives travelled to the United States multiple times for meetings and conferences with BetterUp, including a summit in New York this past April. These trips came amid a nationwide push for a “Team Canada” approach to investing in domestic businesses and workers.
“The message from the Prime Minister and Premier has been clear: we’re all in this together to protect Canadian jobs and secure our economy,” said Goslin. “It appears WSIB is the only one betraying the team.”
The union argues that local vendors could have provided similar coaching services, keeping jobs and dollars in Ontario.
CUPE 1750 members continue strike action across the province, demanding better working conditions and greater accountability from WSIB leadership.
For more information, visit cupe.on.ca.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
