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Canada is in an economic crisis. In November 2008 alone, we lost 75,000 good-paying, mostly manufacturing jobs. Our economy has lost nearly 400,000 manufacturing and forestry jobs since 2002. What Steelworkers need now is bold action to halt the downward spiral of our economy and to build the foundation for sustainable prosperity in the future.

Jobs and worker security are critical.

To make a difference for workers, the federal government should adopt these measures immediately:

• Introduce a manufacturing strategy and economic stimulus package
• Invest in infrastructure/“Green Jobs”
• Promote a “Buy-Canadian” policy
• Negotiate better trade laws and labour standards in international agreements
• Reform bankruptcy laws and protect workers’ pensions
• Enhance EI and the Canada/Quebec Pension Plan
• Enact better labour laws

Isn’t keeping families afloat just as important as keeping companies afloat?

The United Steelworkers is calling on the federal government to improve Employment Insurance (EI) benefits so families can make it through this economic crisis. Out of work shouldn’t mean out of hope.

Governments will give billions to the companies who are letting people go. It’s only fair that they also help the laid-off workers and their families who are the real victims.

The average EI benefit of $317 a week is far below the poverty line and isn’t enough to live on.

Any economic stimulus package has to include an expansion of EI. It’s not only a matter of fairness to families, it’s one of the fastest and most direct ways to boost the entire economy.

What we’re asking for

• Eliminate the waiting period before EI benefits begin
• Extend EI benefits for up to two years
• Increase the level of EI benefits and increase the maximum level of earnings before triggering a clawback
• Allow workers who receive severance pay to also receive EI benefits right away
• Eliminate the cumbersome eligibility rules

“Economists from all stripes have called for urgent and dramatic stimulus measures to prevent further economic unraveling. Yet the [Conservative] government today refused to act. With higher unemployment, working families will pay the price for this government’s refusal to take action….”