CFLPA applies for Workers Compensation coverage

[Rod Black]

http://www.tsn.ca/cflpa-submits-application-for-wcb-coverage-1.553968

Canadian Football League, Conspiracy Football League, Communist Football League.

If successful, your provincial governments will have more say involving payment for injuries to players. Not sure how far each WCB would go, but it could go as far as covering brain injuries. 

Get your tax paying wallets out folks! 

[Atomic]

I have no problem with players who are unable to work due to injury after football receiving benefits.

[JCon]

5 minutes ago, Atomic said:

I have no problem with players who are unable to work due to injury after football receiving benefits.

Government will then have an obligation to monitor the safety of the game and impose rules on the CFL.  

[Tracker]

Just now, JCon said:

Government will then have an obligation to monitor the safety of the game and impose rules on the CFL.  

Everything costs something.

[Atomic]

Just now, JCon said:

Government will then have an obligation to monitor the safety of the game and impose rules on the CFL.  

If it improves player safety then I don't see any issue with that either.

We're not going to see Justin Trudeau changing the rules of the game any time soon.

[JCon]

Just now, Atomic said:

If it improves player safety then I don't see any issue with that either.

We're not going to see Justin Trudeau changing the rules of the game any time soon.

Provincial jurisdiction, I believe. Interesting how different provinces would handle similar issues.

I have no problem with improving the safety of the game. We know the game is going to change dramatically over the next while, anyhow. Just pointing out the obvious, I guess.

[TBURGESS]

IMO, the CFLPA is looking for some deeper pockets than the CFL to offload the concussion issues to. Could be good for the players.

[Rod Black]

27 minutes ago, JCon said:

 

25 minutes ago, Atomic said:

If it improves player safety then I don't see any issue with that either.

We're not going to see Justin Trudeau changing the rules of the game any time soon.

Like what can any government bureaucrat tell any professional sports organization about safety? Bureaucrat:" I decree that there shall be no more tackling because of risk of injury to the head" "I decree there shall be no more blocking because of risk of knee injury".

then I gets thinkin. Why did they choose Alberta. Because there is a socialist government there....

for the most part, we like the players that say they enjoy the game. The players that are involved for the love of the game. The players are not performing anywhere near an essential service and we love them because they did vicariously what we wish we could do but end up with dementia and other ailments in advanced years. Players have way more options during their careers than the average working person.

TBurgess is accurate. Taxpayers have deeper pockets than the CFL. Taxpayers could be on the hook for the busted noggins. But, should they?

Edited August 24, 2016 by Rod Black

[JCon]

4 minutes ago, Rod Black said:

 

Like what can any government bureaucrat tell any professional sports organization about safety? Bureaucrat:" I decree that there shall be no more tackling because of risk of injury to the head" "I decree there shall be no more blocking because of risk of knee injury".

then I gets thinkin. Why did they choose Alberta. Because there is a socialist government there....

for the most part, we like the players that say they enjoy the game. The players that are involved for the love of the game. The players are not performing anywhere near an essential service and we love them because they did vicariously what we wish we could do but end up with dementia and other ailments in advanced years. Players have way more options during their careers than the average working person.

TBurgess is accurate. Taxpayers have deeper pockets than the CFL. Taxpayers could be on the hook for the busted noggins. But, should they?

Yes, the government's tell workplaces all the time what they can and cannot do to protect employees. Not sure why sports would be treated any different, other than we willingly turn a blind eye to the potential long term damage that may be being caused.

[Dr. Blue]

WCB is not funded by the government, rather they are funded by the premiums that the employers pay, and legislated by the government.

Therefore the taxpayers would not be on the hook for busted noggins.

 

I would assume, given the nature of the employment, that the CFL would probably have to pay some pretty high premiums.

[Rod Black]

16 minutes ago, JCon said:

Yes, the government's tell workplaces all the time what they can and cannot do to protect employees. Not sure why sports would be treated any different, other than we willingly turn a blind eye to the potential long term damage that may be being caused.

The governments get to tell workplaces what they can and cannot do because of legislation. The involvement with the government in this issue is as a result of the collective agreement. So the government has the authority to intrinsically change the rules of the game, without scientific evidence to demonstrate safety.

im just not sure this is the correct action for protecting players. Perhaps a fee on top of ticket prices for an injury fund would be an alternative. How would that fly?

oh. A tax on tickets. How's that for a solution?

Edited August 24, 2016 by Rod Black

[JuranBoldenRules]

It's a little shocking that people have no clue how Workers Compensation works.  The premiums are paid by employers and employees, not tax money.

It also is not a long-term benefit.  There are very severe limits on the length an individual can receive compensation.  It is not long term disability.  It's designed for people who are unable to work for a few months, not years.  Long term disability and EIA are completely different from Workers Compensation.

[JCon]

5 minutes ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

It's a little shocking that people have no clue how Workers Compensation works.  The premiums are paid by employers and employees, not tax money.

It also is not a long-term benefit.  There are very severe limits on the length an individual can receive compensation.  It is not long term disability.  It's designed for people who are unable to work for a few months, not years.  Long term disability and EIA are completely different from Workers Compensation.

Yes, but a government would be obligated to review all WC claims.

Imagine that gig! Video evidence everywhere!

[itchy]

20 minutes ago, Dr. Blue said:

WCB is not funded by the government, rather they are funded by the premiums that the employers pay, and legislated by the government.

Therefore the taxpayers would not be on the hook for busted noggins.

 

I would assume, given the nature of the employment, that the CFL would probably have to pay some pretty high premiums.

This.

WCB is based on a rate setting model. It'll be interesting to see what jobs WCB would use as a comparator group to determine what the employer pays. WCB will not often tell an employer what they should be doing, but create an incentive through reduced rates through reduced claims.

I think it's a really good idea, but I'm not sure how it'll play out for that kind of profession. I can see those premiums being high enough it would not be feasible, especially if the injury prevents someone from working in any area for a long period.

[Stickem]

11 minutes ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

It's a little shocking that people have no clue how Workers Compensation works.  The premiums are paid by employers and employees, not tax money.

It also is not a long-term benefit.  There are very severe limits on the length an individual can receive compensation.  It is not long term disability.  It's designed for people who are unable to work for a few months, not years.  Long term disability and EIA are completely different from Workers Compensation.

AND to receive such benefits you have to be under the care of a WCB doctor who monitors your medical situation closely...He can thumbs up or thumbs down your claim if warranted...Does that put the teams own assessment of injury in jeopardy or add to it???Could there be a conflict here??

Edited August 24, 2016 by Stickem
missed word

[JuranBoldenRules]

4 minutes ago, JCon said:

Yes, but a government would be obligated to review all WC claims.

Imagine that gig! Video evidence everywhere!

The government names board members, but doesn't directly administer WCB.

[JuranBoldenRules]

1 minute ago, Stickem said:

AND to receive such benefits you have to be under the care of a WCB doctor who monitors your medical situation closely...He can thumbs up or thumbs down your claim if warranted...Does that put the teams assessment of injury in jeopardy or add to it???Could there be a conflict here??

Personally I don't believe the players want anything to do with WCB.  Most of them don't even live near where they play, plus they could end up seeing some money disappear too.  This is a tactic to make the league address some issue around injuries and to make sure players are getting what is owed to them when they are cut while injured.

[JCon]

5 minutes ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

The government names board members, but doesn't directly administer WCB.

But the Act dictates what authorities the Board has. They are also responsible for promoting workplace health and safety.

I wonder how they would even approach the Bombers?

This is just a scare tactic by the CFLPA, which won't result in anything.

[tacklewasher]

13 minutes ago, JCon said:

This is just a scare tactic by the CFLPA, which won't result in anything.

If that was their intent, they've taken it too far. By opening the application, they have started down the road and will not be able to turn back if they get a good deal from the league. The decision will be out of their hands now.

I don't know if they will get coverage or not, seems like it will be a can of worms with the different jurisdictions (Sask is the worst IMHO). Are you covered by MB WCB when playing in Alberta?

[Rod Black]

29 minutes ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

Personally I don't believe the players want anything to do with WCB.  Most of them don't even live near where they play, plus they could end up seeing some money disappear too.  This is a tactic to make the league address some issue around injuries and to make sure players are getting what is owed to them when they are cut while injured.

I'll agree with the bold.

I can't agree that: employees pay premiums (you can't find it in the Act http://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/ccsm/w200e.php).

that the Board is not an expense paid for by tax dollars (not to include the accident fund which is revenue for the Board). 

However, if the Board pays for industrial desease, say concussions, and there is no direct incident, but an accumulated injury, how can the accumulation be attributed to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and not the years as a player being a teenager, student, or practicing outside Manitoba, and awarding payment for what might be a very short period of time in this jurisdiction? 

I wouldn't want to live without football as entertainment, but I certainly don't believe some dufus from Bucksnort Tennessee (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bucksnort,_Tennessee) earns an ongoing payment by trying out and getting smacked one time to many.

these are transient workers. 

Edited August 24, 2016 by Rod Black

[JuranBoldenRules]

Long-term disability would be ongoing payments, and tbh whatever the league/PA has in terms of insurance is probably better already than what they'd get.  If WCB sees a claim as long-term they'll pass it along without even getting involved beyond an assessment.

[Rod Black]

5 minutes ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

Long-term disability would be ongoing payments, and tbh whatever the league/PA has in terms of insurance is probably better already than what they'd get.  If WCB sees a claim as long-term they'll pass it along without even getting involved beyond an assessment.

The Act allows for on going payments. The possibility of a payment exists if it's in the act. Considering most internationals move away after even a try out, the intent of protecting workers cannot exist. Imo.

[Jacquie]

2 hours ago, Rod Black said:

then I gets thinkin. Why did they choose Alberta. Because there is a socialist government there....

I doubt that. The CFLPA used Alberta labour laws during the lock-out as well.