Local 118 helps protect your rights if you are injured on the job. But you must report the injury to WorkSafe BC, or you risk losing your claim for compensation.

Some employers pressure their workers to not file reports, or try to encourage them to look for work elsewhere. They have a vested interest in maintaining a zero-injury rate for their company.
This is illegal. The Workers’ Compensation Act says employees may not be disciplined or discriminated against for reporting an employment-related injury.

The employer may not:

• suspend, layoff or dismiss the worker
• demote the worker or deprive them of the opportunity for promotion
• transfer their duties, change the location of the workplace, reduce wages or change working hours
• coerce or intimidate the worker
• impose any discipline, reprimand or other penalty
• discontinue or eliminate the job of the worker

Always report your injury. If you don’t, your claim may be dismissed. This means you may not be compensated despite having suffered a life-changing injury.

If you are having problems having your claim accepted, contact the Union office. Your benefits can provide payments that bridge the time between your accident until your claim settles if you are unable to work.

Should you be involved in an injury that is severe enough to keep you off work for an extended period please contact the Union and DA Townley at 604-299-7482. Your benefit plans will continue to provide contributions to your benefits hour bank(s) to assist in maintaining health care coverage and pension accumulation.

WorkSafeBC allows you to file a claim over the phone. A service rep at Teleclaim can be reached at 1-888-WORKERS (1-888-967-5377), or #5377 for Telus, Rogers, and Bell mobility customers.

Check out WorkSafeBC’s Safety at Work Centre for the construction industry