April 17th 2012

MONTRÉAL — 1,800 Aveos employees are still waiting for their first EI cheque, a month after their reckless layoff. This situation is unacceptable and the Conservative government must immediately force the company to issue records of employment, or at least speed up the processing of claims.

“After the shock of losing their jobs, these workers are now living in anxiety. It’s not normal to leave them out in the cold. They have mortgages to pay, mouths to feed. The Conservatives must stop ignoring them,” said MP Isabelle Morin (Notre-Dame-de-Grâce-Lachine).

The former Aveos employees protested today in the streets of Montreal. These Air Canada subcontractors are not only having trouble getting their last pay cheques, but their employer warned them they wouldn’t get their records of employment until their received their final pay, which only adds to the waiting time problem.  

“These people had a great career, good jobs and found themselves on the streets overnight. By not taking care of them, the federal government is adding insult to injury. They’ve had no income for a month. One month is an eternity when you’re living in uncertainty! What is the government waiting for to process their files?,” demanded NDP Employment Insurance Critic, Claude Patry (Jonquière-Alma).

Patry also criticized Service Canada for sending letters to workers inviting them to show good faith in their job search. “We’re directly attacking the pride of these workers. They need help, not a lecture. They’ve paid into employment insurance their whole lives, the least we can do is treat them with respect,” concluded the former unionist.

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