Demands Unreasonable

Premier Russell MacLellan said today he has already moved to ensure disputed workers' compensation claims are independently and fairly assessed, but he can't yield to unreasonable demands.

Senior government officials met again today with representatives of an injured workers group that has occupied a lobby adjacent the premier's office. The premier had earlier met with the protesters, members of the Pictou County Injured Workers Association, who say the Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) has not dealt fairly with their claims.

In March the premier intervened on the workers' behalf to have the provincial ombudsman review the disputed cases -a process that some injured workers groups agreed to. That review is under way. However, the group is now demanding immediate compensation, a demand that was repeated today in meetings with government officials this week.

Labour Minister Russell MacKinnon said the province is addressing many of the injured workers concerns, and has offered them opportunities to provide input into planned changes to workers compensation legislation.

But, he said, the provincial government cannot cut compensation cheques.

Workers compensation is an independent insurance plan. It would be improper for the government to step into that process and, in effect, set individual compensation levels. That is, in essence, what the protesters are demanding, said the minister.

Premier MacLellan added that it would be highly improper, and possibly illegal, for government to intervene in the WCB process, or the process under way in the ombudsman's office.

"We took the extraordinary step of calling on the ombudsman to review these cases. We wanted to ensure the process was fair, impartial and independent. I sympathize with their position and we are doing everything reasonable to help them," said Premier MacLellan.

"I understand that these people are frustrated by the workers' compensation process. I've worked on behalf of injured workers and been frustrated by it myself," Premier MacLellan said. "But I can't dictate to the WCB, which is an arm's length agency with quasi-judicial authority."

The premier said the government expects to address problems with workers' compensation through changes to legislation which should be introduced in the spring session of the legislature, in May or early June. The government has offered the Pictou County injured workers input at the drafting stage of that legislation.

Both the premier and Labour Minister said, in fairness, the Workers' Compensation Board has responded positively to a range of concerns expressed by the Pictou County Injured Workers Association - the group now protesting at the premier's office - as well as from other organizations representing injured workers.