At the start of COVID, the federal government relaxed EI eligibility to improve access to emergency support for those most in need. Without these supports, it would have been much worse for workers and their families due to the COVID closures, lockdowns and layoffs.
Shamefully, the federal government allowed these rules to expire without implementing the permanent changes needed to make EI work for workers.
Last fall, union activists met with MPs to lobby for EI changes in this federal budget. Workers can’t wait for EI to be fixed.
That’s why we’re participating in a Canada-wide Phone Zap to put the pressure on decision-makers, hosted by Justice 4 Workers.
Unifor is calling for immediate changes that improve accessibility, raise benefit levels, eliminate unfair penalties, and improve administration of an extremely outdated program.
The federal budget will be tabled in the very near future. Let’s push the government to do the right thing and make permanent EI reforms that work for workers.
I encourage you to take action. Here’s how you can participate:
- Join the Unifor co-sponsored Justice 4 Workers EI Phone Zap on March 7 at 6:00 pm EST. Attendees must pre-registered at: https://www.justice4workers.org/fix_employment_insurance_mar7
- Share Unifor’s updated campaign page to Fix Employment Insurance. Encourage members and co-workers to use this new campaign landing page to Sign the Petition and demand permanent EI reform now, call their Member of Parliament, and tweet at Decision Makers!
In solidarity,
Lana Payne
National President