Quote of the day
"It will lessen the fiscal burden on departments and allow for some latitude in budgets, which many departments need in order to pay for equipment, training skyrocketing fuel costs and other insurances that continue to rise.''
Thomas Miller, veteran West Virginia firefighter, about a bill that would force the state to pay the workers' comp premiums of volunteer fire departments
ACS to Purchase CompIQ
Texas-based business processing outsourcer Affiliated Computer Services Inc. agrees to acquire workers’ compensation software and services provider CompIQ Corp, for $22 million plus contingent payments based on future financial performance. Dallas Business Journal
Go to the Full Story…
W.V. Legislator: State Should Pay for Volunteer Firefighters Coverage
Prompted by the possibility that premiums soon may rise, West Virginia Del. Margaret Staggers is trying to get the state to pick up the costs of 424 volunteer fire departments’ workers’ compensation coverage, on grounds that it would free up funds for equipment and training.
Go to the full story by Mannix Porterfield, Beckley Register-Herald
Go to the full story by AP via Charleston Gazette
Manchin: Competitive Environment Looms
The state’s workers’ compensation insurance market opens to competition July 1, and West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin is predicting “a very competitive environment.” More than 20 companies that previously have not offered insurance in the Mountain State have been licensed to write coverage. Charleston Gazette
Go to the Full Story…
Ohio BWC Cuts Rates for Public Agencies
Less than a month after voting to cut premium rates by 5 percent for private employers, the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation board votes unanimously to institute a 10 percent premium rate cut for state agencies, universities and university hospitals, effective July 1. Business First of Columbus
Go to the Full Story…
Minnesota Labor Commish Vows Workers’ Comp Reform Package
Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry Steve Sviggum promises to propose a legislative package of workers’ compensation reforms for the 2009 session that he calls “critically important to all employees, employers, insurers and providers.” Sviggum recently appointed members to four newly created workers’ comp advisory work groups. Occupational Health & Safety
Go to the Full Story…
Commentary: Why Accept the Status Quo?
Why do half of Nova Scotians accept that getting injured is just part of the job? Why does the province continue to have one of the highest rates of injury in Canada? Why is it that only one in every two managers believes there is something they can do to make their workplaces safer? Nancy MacCready-Williams, executive officer of the provincial workers’ comp board, reflects on the National Day of Mourning. Chronicle Herald (Halifax, N.S.)
Go to the Full Story…
NDP Says Workers’ Comp Reform Must Go Further
The Newfoundland and Labrador government’s plan to revamp workers’ comp does not go far enough, says a New Democratic Party official who wants an improved appeals process for injured workers, in addition to a mandatory workplace safety program in every high school and post-secondary institution in the province. Canadian Press via Telegram (St. John’s) [with photo] Go to the Full Story…