Community Unemployed Help Centre

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Community Unemployed Help Centre (CUHC) is a non-profit organization primarily dedicated to providing information, advice and representation to unemployed workers in Manitoba experiencing Employment Insurance problems. We also engage in broader social policy issues related to unemployment.

The information on this website is intended for general education purposes only and should not be applied to any individual's specific case. As such, Community Unemployed Help Centre is unable to assume responsibility for any actions taken in response to the provided information. For assistance with your particular situation please contact the CUHC directly.

Important Announcement

Community Unemployed Help Centre will now be providing assistance to Manitobans with Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) problems. Further Information to come.

Employment Insurance or Unemployment Insurance

In 1997, the Government of Canada changed the name of the program from Unemployment Insurance to Employment Insurance. We use the two terms interchangeably, although we prefer the old name as, in our view, it better reflects the program’s purpose of providing income support during periods of unemployment.

The Latest

VERY BAD NEWS! THE EI BOARD OF REFEREES IS BEING DISOLVED AND REPLACED BY GOVERNMENT APPOINTED EMPLOYEES AND LESS OF THEM. HOW WILL THIS AFFECT EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE CLIENTS? Read the excerpt from the new budget here or at the parliamentary website.

CUHC will be participating in the 11th ANNUAL RUN for RIGHTS in WINNIPEG to raise money in support of Winnipeg organizations working for Social Justice and Human Rights.

Statistics Canada releases the results of its 'Labour Force Survey' on the first Friday of every month. This survey provides monthly statistics of employment and unemployment in Canada, including the current unemployment rate.

Each year the Canada Employment and Insurance Commission is required under the EI Act to monitor and assess the impact of the legislation and program delivery. Once completed, the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development tables the Monitoring and Assessment report in Parliament.

EDUCATION

Through the efforts of the Community Unemployed Help Centre, the University of Winnipeg will be offering two - 3 hour credit courses in the 2011/2012 school year. Introduction to Advocacy will be offered this fall and Poverty and Policy in the winter.

These courses will be available through the University of Winnipeg's Urban and Inner City Studies program.

CUHC executive director Neil Cohen on Parliament Hill speaking at a Public Service Alliance News conference on March 21, 2012.

Kristine Barr, Chair of the Manitoba Social Services Appeal Board speaking at CUHC's Annual General Meeting on March 22, 2012.

Unemployed Manitobans needing assistance with Employment and Income Assistance benefits will now have advocacy help from the Community Unemployed Help Centre. Left to right: Neil Cohen Executive Director, Community Unemployed Help Centre (CHUC), Peter Bjornson, Minister of Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade, Elliot Leven, Board Chair of CUHC.

ENDOWMENT FUND

Community Unemployed Help centre has established a permanent endowment fund with the Winnipeg Foundation in order to secure the Centre's long-term future.

Donations to the endowment fund are matched in part by the Winnipeg Foundation and invested in perpetuity. The Centre then receives annual income from the fund in order to support its services and activities. CUHC is a registered charity and receipts for Income Tax purposes will be issued for all donations. If you wish to donate to the Endowment Fund, click here now CUHC Endowment Fund For information on the Winnipeg foundation's lastest giving challenge click below.

DONATIONS

If you would rather donate directly to Community Unemployed Help Centre click here.

If you would like to donate through CanadaHelps.ca click here.

If you would like to Donate through "Run For Rights" Charity Run in Winnipeg this June 2, 2012 by sponsoring a runner/walker or by participating, click here to keep apprised of developments.

All donations are tax receiptable.

CENTRE WINS BENEFITS FOR FORMER TEMBEC WORKERS

Community Unemployed Help Centre wins Employment Insurance benefits for

Former Tembec workers in Pine Falls.

When Tembec workers were locked out by their employer last September, they applied for EI and were advised they would not be eligible for benefits during a labour dispute. The two unions representing the workers, USWA and COPE contacted Community Unemployed Help Centre for assistance. CUHC agreed to represent the workers to help them obtain their benefits. CUHC cited a Manitoba Labour decision and argued that the employer had no intention of settling with the workers, but had clearly intended to sell the plant. CUHC argued that when the employer had attempted to extract concessions from the unions in excess of 30%, it was attempting to make the plant more attractive for a potential buyer. When the unions refused the employer’s offer, they were locked out.

The federal government has always maintained that denying EI benefits to workers during a labour dispute allows them to remain neutral on such matters and not influence the outcome of the dispute. CUHC argued the employer had no intention of resolving the labour dispute and the workers should be entitled to EI benefits.

Community Unemployed Help Centre represented the workers before two separate EI Boards of Referees. One board allowed the appeals and the other did not. CUHC then appealed those it lost, and the federal government appealed those CUHC had won. Recently, Community Unemployed Help Centre was advised that the government would be withdrawing its appeals and conceding to CUHC on those cases the Centre had won. This is an important victory for the Tembec workers.

In the News

EI STUDY ASKED RECIPIENTS TO CONSIDER MOVING!!- CBC - May 17

NO SUCH THING AS A BAD JOB? - CBC Radio, The Current with ED of CUHC, Neil Cohen - May 16

EI Rules Need 'Teeth' to Get People to Work, Finley Says - CBC - May 16

Should EI Recipients be Allowed to Turn Down Work? see the ballot box - CBC - May 15

EI Changes Need Debate, NDP Says - CBC News - May 15

EI Rule Change: Flaherty Says No Such Thing As Bad Job - The Huffington Post - May 14

EI Reform Set To Redefine Suitable Work For Job Seekers - Globe and Mail - May 14

New EI Rules Could Force Unemployed Into Jobs They Don't Want - Globe and Mail - May 4

Budget Bill Gives Conservatives Broad Power Over EI Rules!- Globe and Mail - May 3

Ottawa Plans Change to Seasonal EI - Herald News - May 2

Employees Still Awaiting Details...Jobs at EI axed? - The Western Star - April 24

Easter Concerned About Changes to EI - CBC - April 20

Employment Insurance Benefits Hard to Access - Market Watch - April 19

Ottawa Looks to Unemployed Canadians to Fill Labour Shortages - Globe and Mail - April 19

Employment Insurance Recipients ... Take Jobs Filled by Foreign Workers - The Vancouver Sun - April 19

Canada Needs Temporary Unemployment Assistance Program - HR Reporter - April 18

Province of Manitoba / New Release - ENHANCED SUPPORT FOR MANITOBANS REQUIRING HELP OBTAINING EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME ASSISTANCE - BJORNSON - April 10

Federal Budget 2012: Ottawa Axes National Council on Welfare - The Star - March 29

Georgetti Says Budget Fails on Jobs and Pensions - Canadian Labour Congress - March 29

Federal Budget Highlights - CBC News - March 29

EXCLUSIVE: Budget to Reduce Penalties for Earning Income on EI - Global BC - March 28

Saskatchewan has Fewer EI Claimants - The Star Phoenix - March 23

Ottawa Calls RCMP on Manitoba Manager - Winnipeg Free Press - March 10

Ethics Probe Requested For Federal Office Move in Quebec - CTV News - February 27

Islanders protest closure of EI Centre - CBC News - February 18

Calls to EI Complaints Office Skyrocket - Globe and Mail - February 2

Canada Chops Employment Insurance Staff, Leaving Jobless in the Lurch - The Starr - January 29

EI Financing Agency Spends Millions Doing Nothing!! - CBC News - January 19

$450M Class Action Lawsuit File Against Ottawa - The Star - January 19