Brothers & Sisters
This is for your information. Due to a recent change is the WSIB policies, Employers premium rates as of July 1st, 2022 are now being affected due to COVID.
If you happen to contract the COVID virus and believe that you came in contact with the virus at ArcelorMittal Hamilton East, the I suggest that you do not hesitate to file a WSIB claim as soon as possible. The reason I suggest this is because the company had in the past waved the 5-day waiting period but as of around 6 months ago it has been put back in play. This means if you get COVID at work you will have to isolate for 5 days and have no symptoms before being able to return to work. If the waiting period for Canada life is one week you will not receive any money for your lost time, which could mean losing up to 40 hours of pay.
If you believe you contracted the virus at work:
- Fill out a form 6 and initialize a claim with the WSIB.
- Take pictures of every test you take starting right away.
- Call Human Resources and let them know you have tested positive.
- Call you family doctor and let the know that you have tested positive and ask them for any advice going forward.
- Call the WSIB at 1-800-387-0750 and ask them for any advice and let them know you believe you contracted the virus at work.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact a union official or myself Geoff Oberfrank to find out your next steps.
The company is probably going to deny all claims so if you are around anyone at work you know who tested positive or had to isolate try to remember who. You don’t have to name names you just need to be able to prove that the possibility you did contract the virus at work a substantially greater than the possibility you caught the virus outside of work.
Thank you
Geoff Oberfrank