TORONTO – The decision to hire the notorious consulting firm Accenture to conduct an administrative, cost-cutting review of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board is the first step towards privatizing and outsourcing services, says the union representing WSIB workers.
Wherever Accenture goes, privatization and outsourcing follow, says Paul Simourd, CUPE 1750 Executive Committee member. We expect nothing less from them at the WSIB.
The WSIB recently revealed that it had contracted with Accenture to review all aspects of administrative services provided by the Board. The contract – which has a value of about $500,000 did not go through a formal public tendering process. It has the specific aim of aggressive exploration of opportunities for greater reliance on external suppliers.
Asking a private consultant to find opportunities for contracting out services is like setting a fox loose in the hen house, said Simourd. Paying them to do it gives them a meal before they have done the work. No good can possibly come from this.
The union is demanding assurances from the government that there will be no privatization of the services offered by the WSIB. They point out that the Ontario Board has been the most cost-efficient of any Canadian workers compensation board.
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For more information
Paul Simourd, CUPE 1750
647-292-3170
Ian Thompson, CUPE National Representative
416-460-5250