ST. JOHN’S, NL – The Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour (NLFL) is calling on the provincial government to increase the income replacement benefits for injured workers, following the release of WorkplaceNL’s 2025 Annual Report showing the Injury Fund is now funded at 139.5 per cent. 

“WorkplaceNL is not just meeting its funding target, it is now well past it,” said NLFL President Jessica McCormick. “The fund’s own target range is 100 to 115 per cent; we are now sitting at nearly 140 per cent. There is no financial argument left for denying injured workers a fair income replacement rate. The only question is whether government has the will to act.” 

Injured workers in this province currently receive workers’ compensation benefits equal to 85 per cent of net earnings – one of the lowest rates in the country. That rate often translates into a significant real-world pay cut for workers who are already coping with a workplace injury. 

That financial strain does more than create hardship – it can actively interfere with recovery. Workers under financial pressure may return to work before they have healed, risking re-injury or permanent disability. The stress of financial insecurity itself works against physical and mental recovery.  

“Adequate income replacement isn’t a favour to injured workers, it’s what makes recovery possible,” said McCormick. “When workers are forced to choose between paying their bills and taking the time they need to heal properly, everyone loses: the worker, their family, their employer, and the compensation system itself, which ends up paying for re-injuries and longer, more complicated claims.” 

The last statutory review of the workers’ compensation system explicitly recommended that there be no further discounts to employer assessment rates until the income replacement rate for injured workers is increased. Despite that recommendation, employers have continued to receive rebates while injured workers have been left with a replacement rate that has not kept pace with what workers actually need to get by during recovery. McCormick says the newly released 139.5 per cent funded position makes that imbalance even harder to justify. 

To restore fairness and fulfill the system’s core mission, the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour is reiterating its call for government to make the following changes: 

1. Increase the income replacement rate to 90% of gross earnings for all injured workers. Moving from the current 85% of net to 90% of gross would provide genuine income security, reducing the devastating gap between pre-injury earnings and compensation, and allowing workers to focus on recovery instead of financial survival. 

2. Remove the arbitrary earnings ceiling cap on workers’ compensation benefits. The current legislation caps compensable earnings at just over $80,000, meaning a worker earning $120,000 suffers the same maximum benefit as someone earning $80,000, despite facing a far larger income loss. This ceiling creates a two-tier system that punishes higher-paid workers for a workplace injury. 

“The principle behind workers’ compensation is that injured workers should be made whole, to the greatest extent possible so they can focus on recovery,” said McCormick. “With the fund this strong, government has both the capacity and the responsibility to improve the system for injured workers who are struggling with the rising cost of living.” 

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“We need to ensure that the use of AI by our government is thoroughly reviewed and that strict and transparent policies, procedures, and protections are put in place protect privacy, ensure accuracy, and safeguard workers and the general public,” said Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour President Jessica McCormick. “The recent controversies have exposed the fact that there are no clear guardrails or plan in place for how this new technology is going to be used by our provincial government.”

“In response to recent AI usage issues, Premier Tony Wakeham has said that the government needs to ‘tighten up’ how they use AI – we couldn’t agree more,” said McCormick. “Any review must put the best interests of workers front and centre. From job security and training, to privacy, to monitoring and algorithmic management, to bias and discrimination and beyond, workers need and deserve strong policies in place to protect their jobs and human rights. There is simply too much at stake to make this up on the fly.”

“Workers are rightfully worried about how AI is going to impact their jobs,” said McCormick. “This government has a chance to put people’s minds at ease by leading the way in their review of internal AI policies, through legislation, and at the bargaining table with the public sector unions.”

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Monday, April 27, 2026 

ST. JOHN’S, NL – The Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour (NLFL) and workers across the province will gather on April 28^th to mark the National Day of Mourning for Workers Killed or Injured on the Job.  

“In 2025, according to WorkplaceNL statistics, 17 workers in our province lost their lives due to workplace injuries or illness. In the past five years alone, 106 workers have died because of their work,” said NLFL President Jessica McCormick. “These aren’t just numbers on a page. These are our coworkers, our neighbours, our families, our friends, and our loved ones.”  

“Everyone deserves to work safely and return home at the end of their shift. Governments must do more to make that a reality,” said McCormick. “We have made our position clear on the need for government to take concrete action to make our workplaces safer in our provincial budget submission, our budget presentation to the Minister of Finance, and in meetings with the Premier, Ministers, and government officials.” 

The NLFL continues our call for: 

• The enforcement of the Westray Act to hold employers criminally accountable in the death or serious injury of workers due to negligence; 

• Government to implement effective prevention strategies, strong laws, and to ensure those laws are enforced; 

• A public Inquiry into the Fatal Workplace Accident at the Come By Chance Refinery (2022); 

• An increase the number of Occupational Health and Safety Investigators in the province; 

• Transparency in health and safety records. The health and safety records of NL employers are kept out of the public eye. The public must have the ability to quickly and easily check the safety records of businesses; 

• A task force to address increasing rates of workplace violence; 

• A silica dust study for Labrador West;  

• The establishment of an Occupational Health Clinic to help both employers and workers manage, prevent, and respond to occupational illnesses; 

• An increase to the income replacement rate for workers’ compensation to 90%. 

Day of Mourning ceremonies will take place on Tuesday, April 28 in St. John’s, Grand Falls-Windsor, Corner Brook, and Labrador City. Full details of the events can be found at: https://nlfed.ca/2026-day-of-mourning-ceremonies/  

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Wednesday, October 8, 2025 

St. John’s, NL – The Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour (NLFL) today released its analysis of party responses to its 2025 Election Questionnaire, providing workers with a critical tool to inform their vote. 

The full questionnaire responses and the NLFL’s analysis are available on the Federation’s Workers Vote election page at https://nlfed.ca/campaigns/workersvote2025/ 

(Direct link to document – HERE) 

“This is a critical opportunity to build a fairer, more just Newfoundland and Labrador where no one is left behind. Workers need to know where the parties stand on key issues and see concrete commitments in black and white,” said McCormick. “We encourage every worker to review this document, ask candidates the tough questions about the issues that matter most to them, talk to their family, friends, and co-workers, and get out to vote.” 

The Federation submitted identical questionnaires to the Progressive Conservative, Liberal, and New Democratic parties, seeking commitments on a wide range of issues vital to workers, including: workers’ rights, health and safety, tariffs, cost of living, local benefits, jobs, protecting public services, economic justice, and climate transition. 

The analysis released today offers a brief, overarching review of the written responses received from each party. It is intended as a starting point for workers to understand where each party stands. The full response from each party is also included in the document. 

“This election is about choosing a better future, one where working people in Newfoundland and Labrador can thrive, not just survive,” said McCormick. “We need to elect candidates that work for workers, and we will hold whoever forms the next government accountable for the promises they make.” 

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For Immediate Release: Wednesday, July 9, 2025 

ST. JOHN’S, NL – The Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour (NLFL) launched a workplace heat stress campaign today to address the growing issue of excessive heat in workplaces. 

“Heat exposure is a life-threatening occupational hazard with serious short- and long-term consequences – and it can escalate dangerously fast,” said NLFL President Jessica McCormick. “As our planet warms, heat stress is becoming a workplace crisis within the broader climate crisis. Workers must know their rights, employers must take immediate action to protect them, and governments must implement strong policies to ensure worker safety.” 

The campaign focuses on three key priorities: 

1. Educating workers on the signs and dangers of heat stress, as well as their legal rights to a safe workplace; 

2. Collecting worker experiences through an online survey and a “Share Your Story” form to document how heat impacts their health and their work; and 

3. Demanding action from employers and governments to implement stronger protections against extreme heat. 

“This summer, we’ll be engaging with workers, on the ground and online, to hear firsthand how heat stress affects them, how has the situation changed in recent years, whether employers are taking proper precautions, and what more must be done to keep workers safe,” said McCormick. “Many workers in our province face extreme heat at work, whether indoors or outdoors, and the situation will only get worse as climate change makes our summers hotter. The information we gather and the conversations we have will drive our fight for change.” 

For more details on the campaign, visit: https://nlfl.nf.ca/campaigns/heat-stress/ 

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 Minimum Wage Increase Falls Short for Workers in Newfoundland and Labrador 

For Immediate Release: 
Friday, February 14, 2025 

ST. JOHN’S, NL – Today, the provincial government announced a $0.40 increase to the minimum wage, effective April 1, 2025, tied to the Consumer Price Index. While this adjustment acknowledges the need for change, it fails to adequately address the challenges faced by workers struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living. This decision leaves thousands of workers and their families unable to meet basic needs, with broader implications for our communities and our economy. 

“Every worker deserves the dignity of being able to provide for themselves and their families. Yet, in Newfoundland and Labrador, nearly one-quarter of our workforce—approximately 23%—earns less than $20 per hour, making it increasingly difficult to make ends meet,” said Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour President Jessica McCormick. “Tying the minimum wage to inflation alone is not enough. Without more substantial increases, workers will continue to fall behind, unable to keep pace with the rising costs of essentials like housing, food, and childcare. In real terms, they will remain trapped earning $15 an hour indefinitely.”  

In August 2024, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) released its second provincial living wage report, revealing the stark reality of what it takes to survive in Newfoundland and Labrador. The report outlines the hourly wage needed to cover basic expenses across four regions: 

• Central Newfoundland: $24.10 
• Eastern Newfoundland: $24.70 
• Western Newfoundland: $23.10 
• Northern Peninsula and Labrador: $27.30

Approximately 17,000 workers earn the minimum wage in Newfoundland and Labrador.  

These figures, based on a family of four and accounting for tax credits, deductions, and government benefits, include essential costs such as food, shelter, transportation, and childcare. The gap between these living wages and the announced minimum wage is significant. 

“The current approach to minimum wage policy is simply not meeting the needs of workers,” said McCormick. “Without meaningful action, the gap between the minimum wage and a living wage will only widen, pushing more families into poverty and further straining our social systems. Workers need – and deserve – a wage that reflects the true cost of living and allows them to thrive, not just try to survive.” 

To build an economy that works for everyone, the NLFL is calling for immediate action: 

1. Implement a more substantial minimum wage increase beyond the current $16 per hour to better align with living wage benchmarks. 

• Conduct annual, region-specific living wage calculations to ensure policies reflect the real costs faced by workers and their families. 
   
• Reform income benefits, including adjusting eligibility thresholds and reducing clawback rates, to support workers transitioning to better-paying jobs. \

Using evidence-based living wage data to guide labour market and social policies will ensure government programs effectively support working people. These changes are not only fair but also economically beneficial, as they will help reduce poverty, strengthen local economies, and create a more equitable province for all. 

“The time for half-measures is over. Newfoundland and Labrador’s workers cannot afford to wait,” said McCormick.  

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“We have been clear from the outset that this is an existential crisis that demands a united and coordinated response that meets the seriousness of this moment,” said NLFL President Jessica McCormick. “President Trump has started a trade war that is going to have a devastating impact on our province. We must take all necessary steps to protect jobs, protect workers, safeguard our economy, and plan for the future.” 

“A coordinated approach, relying on a united front between government, industry, and labour is essential to ensuring Newfoundland and Labrador maintains its economic stability and protects its workers and communities from trade disruptions and their far-reaching impacts,” said McCormick. “We must stand together in the face of this unprecedented attack on our country and our people.” 

McCormick is a member of the Premier’s Roundtable on Trade and is playing a lead role in ensuring that the voices, concerns, and needs of workers are heard and acted upon as the provincial government manages and responds to these tariffs.  

The NLFL is recommending and advocating for a comprehensive response that includes: 

·         Income supports for workers 

·         Enhancements to employment insurance 

·         Transition, upskilling, and education pathways for workers 

·         Long-term economic diversification planning 

·         Strategic planning to reduce reliance on American trade markets 

·         Procurement directives 

·         Promoting local and Canadian made products 

·         Liquidity supports for affected industries and businesses to protect jobs 

·         Strong retaliatory measures 

While many of these measures require federal government capacity and action, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador must also use whatever levers are available to supplement federal efforts. 
 
“Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are no stranger to adversity, and we have always leaned on each other to get through challenging times together,” said McCormick. “I have no doubt that we will come together to face this trade war head on. Unions will be front and center in that effort.” 

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“The provincial government projects that the four MOU initiatives will create approximately 5,000 direct jobs and 4,500 indirect and induced jobs,” said NLFL President Jessica McCormick. “While our province’s workers have consistently demonstrated their capability to handle projects of this magnitude, we must ensure we have the workforce capacity to meet these demands alongside other provincial labour needs. This planning must begin immediately.”

McCormick emphasized the need for collaboration: “Government, employers, and workers must work together to develop a comprehensive strategy to ensure the province is prepared for the task ahead. To be effective, any labour strategy must be worker-led and worker-focused. Front-line workers have invaluable insights into what’s required to do the job right and must be included in any human resources planning process.”

McCormick also stressed the importance of investing in education and training: “The provincial government must properly engage with, fund, and support the K-12 and post-secondary education systems to ensure workers can access the education, training, upskilling, and professional development needed for these projects’ diverse labour demands. This plan must also consider labour needs beyond these four specific projects. Furthermore, all associated benefits agreements must prioritize ensuring that our province, our workers, and our communities are the primary beneficiaries.”

“The future prosperity of our province and its people depends on these decisions,” McCormick stated. “If our history has taught us anything, it’s the importance of due diligence and proactive planning. We have one chance to get this right – so we must start planning immediately.”

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“This is a good first step by the government on this front; one that workers and their unions, as well as the medical community, have been requesting for some time,” said NLFL President Jessica McCormick. “This change will reduce stress on our healthcare system, free up healthcare workers to focus on providing care, improve access to healthcare, and allow workers to concentrate on getting healthy before returning to work.”

“However, the full impact of this change will depend on individual employers, who will still have the ability to set their own sick note policies, even for short-term illnesses,” said McCormick. “Employers should absolutely follow the precedent set by this change – for our healthcare system and for workers – but they are not required to do so.”

A recently released report by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) estimated that as many as 12.5 million unnecessary healthcare appointments could be eliminated annually by removing the requirement for sick notes for minor, short-term illnesses.

“Workers and their families need this government to implement further labour legislation changes to improve their working and living conditions,” said McCormick. “We are hopeful that this change signals that this government is listening to workers and is ready to prioritize their needs. We will continue to pressure the government to ensure this happens.”

Recently, the NLFL called on the provincial government to increase the Income Replacement Rate for injured workers. Additionally, the NLFL is urging the government to introduce legislation during this session to ensure workers have access to ten (10) paid sick days.

“Sick notes are just one part of the overall picture,” said McCormick. “Workers should not feel pressured to come to work while sick for fear of losing their jobs. If the goal is to reduce the financial strain on workers and mitigate the spread of infectious diseases, as the Minister states in her release, then we also need to enact increased access to paid sick days and better compensation for injured workers.”

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“If enacted, Trump’s proposed 25% tariff would have a devastating impact on workers, jobs, our economy, and our province as a whole,” said McCormick. “We must all work together to do whatever we can to ensure that these tariffs never materialize – there is simply too much at stake.”

The Newfoundland and Labrador economy depends greatly on exports to America. In 2022, Newfoundland and Labrador exported over $7B of goods to the United States. A tariff on this trade and of this magnitude would impact all parts of our province’s economy, not only the directly targeted sectors – people’s livelihoods, public sector funding, community funding, social programs, etc. 

“We need all hands on deck to tackle this issue and workers must be involved in any strategy as it will be workers and their families who will bear the brunt of the impacts of these tariffs,” said McCormick. “Labour is ready to assist the Premier and the provincial and federal governments in the effort to stop these catastrophic tariffs from coming into existence.” 

The NLFL will be meeting with the Premier and other stakeholders to discuss the proposed tariffs, their impact, and how to work together to protect Newfoundland and Labrador workers and their families. 

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