Guy Kerr CEO of WCB  states in June 2018 WCB does not push workers back to work.

June 14 2018 NEWS REPORT
Trench collapse on local worker
WORKER SENT BACK TO WORK MODIFIED DUTIES THE NEXT DAY

Comments on this statement from WCB.

I am officially cancer free. 

"DEFEAT OR BE DEFEATED"

Given no hope  six months to a clean bill of health feels great.

NEVER GIVE UP. Advocate to get diagnosis, reasons, alternatives, and make the best choices you can.

I could not see me not working with injured workers and fighting for the rights of workers. 

Thank you to all my clients that have been so supportive, prayed and cared while being patient with there own injuries and pain to deal with. 

No more delays as my one worker says "lets "Git-R-Done"

Gail Cumming 

About 7 months ago I became ill. I had to take care of myself and  while my body was weak and my mind  was strong.

Most people believed that I was away in paradise, when the truth was I was dealing with my own health issues.

My concern was my workers, and continuing to advocate for them and whether I was able to return to work with good health and energy to continue to advocate keeping the high demands in perspective. . 

My life changed when I found out I was sick. After surgery I was diagnosed with a rare cancer and have underwent several surgeries.   The rare cancer was called "Urachal adenocarcinoma." 

My struggle with the Medical system, was so similar to the injured workers problems.  I realize that most workers are not real good at understanding the medical system, talking to doctors, keeping up with medical appointments, and attempting to make WCB satisfied with any progress. 

I needed to advocate a for second opinion and I had to research the condition on studies completed in Japan,Europe and North America, I believe that my long journey to good health has been achieved because of my own advocacy to resolve the problem quickly,  

This means that my advocacy for workers, and WCB changes will again be stronger than ever. 

Always remember my passion for change at the WCB, and representation of workers is my priority. 

Unfortunately, life sometimes gets in the way for progress in a timely manner and it does not mean that I am going anywhere 
soon. Lots to do before I am done.

Remember that the challenge is not to create stress rather to deal with it positively and resolve the issues 

Onward we go together dealing with your injuries and WCB issues. It is nice to be back and to deal with all your questions  about WCB. 

Sincerely,

Gail Cumming

WHEN YOU HIRE ME AS A WCB REPRESENTATIVE, YOU MUST ADVOCATE FOR YOUR DOCTOR TO ENSURE THAT ALL THAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP YOU THROUGH THE MEDICAL PROCESS IN THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AND WCB MEDICAL PROCESS. 

WHEN SHOULD YOU START ADVOCATING FOR SERVICES, TESTING AND SECOND OPINIONS?
The Canadian Medical Care System may be the cost effect benefit to Canadians, but is it the best?

Your doctor's education and experience does not provide him/her with the compassion, wisdom and common sense that may be needed, Whether it be a work related injury or a illness, health care is your right. Timely assistance is critical  in many It does not mean that the Health Care is doing the right thing for you. WCB is not the only way to have d services that may save your life. Your advocacy is required to speed the process up in critical situations. 

PHYSICIANS HIPPOCRATIC OATH: 
"Practice two things in your dealings with disease: either help or do not harm the patient".

People should have greater control over what happens to their own bodies.”​

                                       By being involved in your own health advocacy you will gain knowledge.

                                              I believe in luck and fate and I believe in karma,
                                                      that the energy you put out in the world comes back to meet you.

Knowledge and positive attitude is power. Be the energy behind your own healing. 

• Ask questions and research your injury and illness.
• Maintain your own medical records
• Ask for a second opinion
• Contact all your disability insurance plans

The government has completed their review. I have attempted to followup with the Labour Minister regarding the WCB changes and the laws. WCB is making their own policies and using the opportunity to tighten policies rather than paying attention to the concerns brought forward with the Government review.  

The decision makers have little experience more so then ever in the past.

The attitude is "just say no" within the WCB decision makers.

Appeals are less than ever, and workers are NOT utilizing their right to appeals.

I believe WCB staff are better than ever convincing themselves that a good letter template can resolve an appeal. This should not be the case and use your right to appeal to the Appeals Commission. Do not back down.

​DO NOT MISS DEADLINES

​The NDP promised change. Prior to the election Rachel Notley was a supporter of injured workers rights I now give my thanks and respect to the Labor Minister Christina Gray and her staff.  
 
The Government in introducing Bill 30 changes to address health and safety of workers has also recommended changes to the Alberta Workers Compensation Board Act. This is a step in the right direction and it is positive for workers covered by the Alberta Workers Compensation Board.

For several years I have continued to fight for significant changes in legislation to deaf ears in the Government and the Workers Compensation Board (WCB) and its Board of Directors. Although I have questions about some of the recommendations, major changes by the Government going forward that CAN NOT be manipulated by the WCB will be; a 2 year window to appeal decisions, compensation payable with no cap on wages, and changes when a fatality of a worker occurs This means immediate payment to the family of $90772.20 and all services to widows will be equal. These changes have no open window for WCB to argue. I truly feel my years of voicing concerns in these major important areas have been addressed, although a 5 year window to appeal would have been most reasonable.

The Government will be creating a "Fair Practice Office."  Does that mean the Office of the Appeals Advisors (OAA) will no
longer be on the WCB payroll and WCB pensions?

I am concerned about the rules and regulations surrounding this new office and jurisdiction of the Fair Practice office. The current flaws that were not addressed with the WCB management have now forced the Government to remove the department from the WCB. My reason for concern is that the Government has no jurisdiction over the WCB and the decisions. That is why they have a "Government relations Liaison" at the Workers Compensation Board to contact when the government has concerns. The recommendations from the Government regarding the Fair Practice office I understand will address only appeals to the Appeals Commission not internal WCB issues. The front end decisions at the WCB are the root of the errors and missed appeal issues. I will be interested in seeing the transition of the roles and the jurisdiction to address issues at the WCB level.

Injured workers going forward will still need to fight for compensation due to the culture that cannot be changed by the Government. The WCB so easily creates policy that leaves the ability to minimize financial impact on employer accounts rather adequately compensation workers.

The Alberta Government and the Minister of Labor have taken the steps to attempt to address vocational issues on claims that are related to "fake jobs" used for estimating earnings. My opinion is that this attempt will NOT be well handled at the WCB and the window to create new policies internally and limit services to help injured workers will remain the WCB focus.

Other changes to the system include recommendations  for young workers compensation, termination of employment, health benefits paid by the employer for 1 year, medical panels workers right to chose from a list of WCB doctors and the Appeals Commission 

There will always a reason to dispute claims decisions and benefits and services provided to injured workers. The WCB will remained a flawed system with differing opinions and loop holes to climb through.

Gail Cumming

View the WCB annual general meeting video and comment on the questions I asked and what you would like to ask of the WCB in upcoming years.

​The WCB annual general meeting was today. WCB C.E.O. confirmed increased wages, vacation perks for staff while the goal setting incentives were stopped attached to claims other compensation to WCB staff was provided.

Guy Kerr also confirmed that the Government and the Government Review Panel has no jurisdiction or authority to change the WCB culture, policy or procedures at the WCB. It will be interesting to see what comes out of the review that is merely recommendations to the WCB Board that is not touchable.

I have attended a two day session in Edmonton that was related to the WCB review panel assigned by the Alberta Government to make recommendations on the current WCB system.

The audience was made up of employers, representatives of employers, workers, general public including safety associations.

The group interaction was positive, informative and the individuals were knowledgeable about the WCB practices. The concerns of transparency, fairness and good decision making was apparent.

I was impressed by the panel, and the people brought together with one common concern of WCB compensation and injured workers.

This is not always reflected in my daily dealings with the WCB and I hope we are all able to work together to promote a better system to compensate workers at the end of the day. 

​Gail Cumming

Please refer to WCB changes requested and make your comments to the current government review board to make a difference. All Canadians should be concerned with  the lack of funds provided to injured workers in Canada.