Share
TORONTO/MONTREAL – Members at Bell Technical Solutions (BTS) in Ontario and Quebec voted to ratify their new collective agreements, covering 4,300 workers across the two provinces.
“For years, BTS workers have kept Canadians connected while helping generate significant profits for Bell,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “This agreement ensures workers share more fairly in the success they help create, with substantial wage increases, pension improvements and better protections on the job. These gains were won through the strength and determination of our members and bargaining committees.”
The agreements include 12.25% total wage increases over their four years, increased employer pension contributions, improvements in sick leave and long-term disability benefits. Following ratification, nearly 600 members across both provinces will receive reclassifications, which will provide various upgrades and scheduling improvements.
The Ontario agreement applies to 2,600 members belonging to Locals 28, 30-O, 31, 34-O, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39-O, 40, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48 and 1996-O. In Quebec, 1700 members are represented by Unifor locals 77-Q, 78, 79, 80, 93, 176, 1021, 1022, 1023, 1024 and 1025.
“BTS workers make up a skilled workforce in a highly valuable industry. Members’ interests were very well represented by their bargaining committees in this round of negotiations,” said Daniel Cloutier, Unifor Quebec Director.
The contracts also include agreements for 240 voluntary service packages in Ontario, 200 in Quebec and settled grievances adding up to $350,000 in settlements for members in Ontario. Going forward, the contracts strengthen grievance timelines.
There are no concessions.
Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 320,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad and strives to create progressive change for a better future.
For further information or to arrange interviews contact Sarah McCue, Unifor National Communications Representative at 416-458-3307 (cell) or @email.
For French interviews, contact Unifor Quebec representative Sophie-Rose Surprenant-Paulhus at @email.
