The high cost of our workers’ compensation system has been a key advocacy issue for the Newfoundland and Labrador Employers’ Council for many years. In 2011, the NLEC Board of Directors decided to dedicate significant resources to this issue in order to finally provide cost relief to employers. Due to the NLEC lobby, in December 2013 Minister Dan Crummell announced the first rate reduction for employers since 2006. The average employer insurance premium dropped $0.30 to $2.45 per $100 of payroll for 2014. This success puts millions of dollars back into the hands of employers annually.

This lobbying success by the NLEC represents one of the most significant achievements of the Employers’ Council and involved significant work by the organization. In recognition of the NLECs advocacy campaign, the International Association of Business Communicators presented the NLEC with two awards, in government relations and advocacy communications, in May 2014.

This lobby continues to pay dividends. As a result of a WHSCC funding policy advocated for by the NLEC, once the funded position of the WHSCC reaches 110% a 25 cent surcharge will automatically be removed from the average assessment rate in the province. The system is currently at 106% funded. The Commission expects the 25 cent surcharge to be removed within the next two years. Removal of this surcharge will mean approximately $12 Million in additional savings for employers in the province, year after year.