The FFAW likes changes to the Employment Insurance system coming in the next few weeks but is trying to convince the federal government to go further.
Ottawa is increasing the amount of sick leave to 26 weeks from the current 15, a move for which the union has been lobbying for years.
Alyse Stuart of the FFAW, who is also a social activist, sees it as a first step toward having an EI system that actually works for workers.
(Alyse Stuart, file photo.)
She says health-related organizations have also been asking for an increase in the number of weeks eligible for sick leave through EI.
Stuart also wishes to see higher rates of compensation. For example, the maximum a person can be eligible for is $638 per week before taxes.
Rates are up to 55 percent of a worker’s regular pay but Stuart would like to see the amount restored to the levels of years gone by in the 75 percent range.
