Quebec construction workers protest EI reforms
Construction workers spent the morning handing out information leaflets at 11 metro stations today, trying to rally support for their protest against the Harper government’s employment insurance reforms.
The workers are planning to protest in 10 towns in Quebec and in Ottawa this Saturday, starting at 11 a.m.
The new employment insurance rules came into effect on Jan. 6 of this year.
Since then, several factors, like type of work, wages, commuting time, working conditions, hours of work and personal circumstances, are considered when defining "suitable employment."
Feb. 23 protests planned in Quebec:
- Montreal
- Sherbrooke
- Ville Saguenay
- Rouyn
- Rimouski
- Gatineau
- Sept-Îles
- Baie-Comeau
- Trois-Rivières
- Quebec
The changes also require repeat claimants to accept jobs that could pay up to 30 per cent less than their normal wages and be located an hour’s commute away.
Electrician Stéphane Guinette was at Berri-UQÀM metro station this morning, along with a half-dozen protesters.
They were handing out fliers in French that read "No to Harper and his employment insurance reform."
Guinette likened the changes to an unemployed lawyer having to accept the job of a plumber.