TIME TO CHANGE WCB

WCB CHANGES 

WCB REVIEW Time for change
Perspective on WCB

Thank you, Alberta Government.
Thank you Rachel Notley and David Swan for listening to Albertans

Review the WCB AGM for reference and information on request for change at the WCB brought forward to the WCB in the past years by
Gail Cumming C.E.O - Adorn Consulting Inc.

WCB Basics
Principal LEGAL – JUST AND FAIR DECISIONS WCB is established to be an un-biased administrator of injured workers compensation

LEGAL
WCB must apply the WCB Act and regulations in making decisions.
 
JUST AND FAIR
WCB has the power to create policy and to interpret the law. This has created a broad grey area for bias within the organization.

WCB changes in legislation are required by the government to be
clear- “fair-just” to workers.
WCB has the power to be independent in policy development

The Alberta government has no power to influence WCB policy development
WCB law is manipulated within the policies
 
WITHOUT THE GOVERNMENT CHANGING LEGISLATION TO GIVE WCB LESS INDEPENDENT POWER NOTHING WILL CHANGE WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION.
WCB change Initial basic recommendations

•Revise legislation and give the Alberta government the ability to challenge WCB policy.
•The Alberta government is requested to demand a change in Board members including the current C.E.O. who exceeds 10 years in the position.
•Revise WCB legislation and the justice system that does not allow workers to have representatives at Judicial reviews without legal counsel that they can not afford nor find.
•Request the government to appoint an independent "watchdog" as liaison between WCB and stakeholders-government ongoing.
•Request to review the WCB attempt to alter and not abide to medical panel findings.
•Review and revise the statistically based bonus system for staff at the WCB and upper management salaries.
•Ensure the WCB internal appeal body has independence.
•Revise the current appeal legislation to extend the deadlines on appeals over the one year time frame at all levels of appeal.
•Revise policies that have created conflict with legislation and not fair and just.
•Review out of province and foreign worker entitlement and create reasonable policies.
•Revise policies such as the fatality and widow policies that do not adequately compensate surviving partners and family.
•Review all policies affecting workers entitlement and benefits and the delays –incorrect decisions made at WCB.
•Review the employer rates, rebates, fines and claims suppressions.
•Review statistics for manipulation of correct analysis.
•Gross insurable earnings set premiums, 90% net wage loss to workers. Workers have no coverage for CPP and EI and their rate reflects a difference to what employers pay. The difference goes to WCB general fund which is profitable.
•Cost of living errors in the calculations need to be reviewed.
•Transparency of the WCB needs to be reviewed.
•Independence of the Appeals Commission decisions and processes should be reviewed to ensure WCB influence is not occurring .

_____Prepared by Gail Cumming