EI woes for laid off Wabush Mine workers

Workers at the idled Wabush Mines in western Labrador are upset with what they say are conflicting messages about their employment insurance claims.

Cliffs Resources made the decision to idle operations at the mine in early February, affecting almost 500 employees.

Jason Penney, president of UnitedSteelworkers Local 6285, said some of the workers were told to file their EI claims right away, but were later told they had to wait.

Penney said workers don't know when they will receive benefitsor how much they'll get, and it's making a stressful situation even worse.

"Many of them are moving from frustrated to angry. Every day I'm getting more and more questions, and 'What do I do?' and I just don't have the answers for them," he said.

"It's very difficult for the employees."

Penney said about 90 people have already left the area to find other workor have found another job in the region.

According to Penney, approximately 50 people are still working at the idled mine, winding down theoperation.