On this Labour Day, one of Alberta’s largest union groups is adding its voice to calls to shorten wait times for employment insurance benefits in the province.

The Alberta Federation of Labor says Albertans are being short-changed because they have to work more hours to qualify for benefits when compared to workers in other provinces. AFL President Gil McGowan says laid off workers are getting hit hard by the recession, and it’s up to government to make sure they can continue to pay the rent and feed their families.

Analysis by the union group finds Alberta with the lowest percentage of jobless workers receiving E-I benefits at 39 per cent, compared to 55 per cent of jobless people in Quebec collecting E-I cheques.

CHQR Newsroom, Mon Sept 7 2009