Thread by @Lanampayne

Some thoughts on Canada's Employment Insurance system.

In the best of times, it's inadequate, failing 100,000s of workers - precarious workers. During a pandemic, it is 10,000x inadequate. It's an example of how eroded safety nets come back to haunt us during tough times.

/1

Some of the troublesome features remaind from the early 1990s when govt, specifically the Chretien/Martin Liberals, hacked away at EI. Unemployed workers were labelled cheats and therefore the system needed harsh penalties to encourage ppl to find work /2

The built-in penalties: waiting periods and reduced benefits. In the early 1990s, govt slashed the benefit rate to 55%. At one point, the benefit rate was as high 75% income replacement. Until governments decided unemployed workers needed to be punished for losing their jobs /2

The penalties were a stick to encourage workers to look for work during layoff.

The problem in a pandemic: there is no work to be found, even if you agree with these draconian penalties (I do not) this is a time when they should be suspended /3

The many, many rules for EI qualification and eligibility (different hours depending on your labourforce attachment, where you live and the local unemployment rate) all make for a cumbersome application process. The more complexity, the slower it is to get benefits to people. /4

It is one of the many reasons (as well as fairness and a recognition that too many workers can never qualify for a program they pay into) that advocates have for years called for a simplified EI system. /5

Fast forward to 2020 and #COVID19 and we have a very big problem in Canada right now. Nearly 1M claims for benefits in a week. This # could double this week. The wait time for benefits is already a month before the system was flooded with pandemic claims /6

I'm not sure making tweaks to the application process is going to solve this problem. I am very worried. We will soon have millions of Canadians without income - all at the same time, during a pandemic with no ability to find a job because to #flattenthecurve we MUST stay home /7

And we have a EI program not built for good times, let alone a pandemic.

We need income replacement NOW. And not at 55%. It should be at 80%, like many of the Nordic countries are doing. /8

And by the way, if other countries can figure this out, Canada should be able to do so too. But time is a factor and if we want to avoid complete economic panic, the time to act is NOW. Having workers paid thru their employers is a good option. Canada should consider it. /9

In the meantime, here is what is happening out there.

Example: Hotel worker, laid off. No pay cheque. No gratuities. And very likely no health benefits as they ended with the layoff. Waiting for inadequate EI. Kid needs insulin. This is what people are dealing with right now /10

Add this wide scale economic insecurity to the anxiety caused by the pandemic and Canada we must do better.

I haven't even talked about relief from rent and mortgage payments. Some efforts have been made here, but experts will likely say not enough /11

Our union, including the incredible local union leaders in workplaces across the country, are dealing with this worry and anxiety now. Our staff too. I salute all of you for your work helping workers. You are rockstars. /12

In ten days, the world has changed, turned upside down for 10,000s of .@UniforTheUnion members across any number of sectors: auto, auto parts, hotel, airlines, hospitality, gaming, fisheries, aerospace. They are reeling, like we all are. /13

There is so much uncertainty. So much worry.

In these times, we must fight for what is right for workers, so they can make it thru this pandemic healthy and with a good job. We must find ways to connect and express our solidarity. And our friendship. /14

Sending all of you my solidarity. And a promise to demand justice for workers, always.

Stay healthy. #FlattentheCurve

Love and Solidarity. xo