The AFL reacted to the government announcement on April 22, 2002 that the proposed Tribunal on longstanding, contentious WCB claims is being delayed further by calling it a betrayal of injured workers. Minister of Human Resources Clint Dunford announced a delay to the Tribunal due to pressure from some employer groups.

"Justice delayed, and delayed and delayed," said Alberta Federation of Labour President Les Steel. "How long does the Minister expect injured workers to wait for a fair resolution of their claims?"

"It is a betrayal. The one-time Tribunal was the cornerstone of Dunford’s reforms to the WCB. It was the way to demonstrate to thousands of injured workers that he was committed to fixing the system," said Steel. "But he has proven it is just empty platitudes."

"The more things change, the more they stay the same."

Dunford claims that the delay is due to pressure from employer groups who are concerned about increased premiums caused by Tribunal decisions. Steel refuted this concern. "No one can pretend to know the impact of the Tribunal on premiums. It could be minimal."

"Besides," Steel added, "any benefit awarded an injured worker is just a late payment. It was money owed to that worker when they first got injured. This is about justice and fairness."

Steel pointed out that employers have been unfairly subsidized through the denial of worker claims. Any premium increases are increases that should have happened years ago. "Employers can’t expect to avoid responsibility for workplace injuries forever. At some point someone has to pay for hurting or killing a worker."

"The WCB system has proven itself over and over again to be not interested in fair compensation for injured workers. The Minister today has demonstrated that he is just part of the same old unfair system. It is very disappointing," Steel concluded.