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Montreal, August 31, 2022 – To the sound of whistles and trumpets, more than a hundred members of Quebec and Ontario local unions, FTQ-affiliated unions, FTQ regional councils as well as Alexandre Boulerice, NDP MP for Rosemont-La Petit-Patrie, gathered yesterday morning in front of Bell Media’s offices in Montreal, in support of workers at Bell Technical Solutions.
The rally was aimed at sending a clear message to the employer as the two parties participate in the conciliation process. The main demands of the bargaining unit’s members include higher wages and more stable work schedules. At the same time, the participants were protesting the employer’s hiring of 150 subcontractors to offset a labour shortage, despite the fact that the parties are in the midst of negotiations.
“The employer’s decision to use subcontractors while they are in the middle of bargaining shows a huge lack of respect for the workers at Bell Technical Solutions,” said Daniel Cloutier, Unifor Quebec Director. “These people worked throughout the pandemic to keep Quebec connected and even today, despite the members’ frustration and extreme disappointment with the management offer, they continue to deliver the goods with a very high level of satisfaction,” exclaimed the Quebec Director.
After more than three months of intensive negotiations, the bargaining committee toured the Quebec locals to present the tentative agreement to members. A record 81% of members rejected the deal, feeling that it failed to meet their expectations and that the employer should do more.
Anti-scab legislation is needed now!
Unifor is calling for anti-scab legislation in all Canadian jurisdictions. While the Liberal and NDP leaders have committed to introducing federal anti-scab legislation by the end of 2023, Unifor wants to see it passed sooner.
“We need anti-scab legislation this year in order to restore our bargaining power with federally regulated employers,” insisted Mr. Cloutier.
About Unifor
Unifor is the largest private-sector union in Quebec and Canada, with more than 315,000 members in all sectors of the economy. Unifor works on behalf of all workers and their rights. It is also actively engaged in the fight for equality and social justice both at home and abroad, and aspires to ensure a better future by bringing about progressive change. In Quebec, Unifor represents close to 55,000 members and is affiliated with the province’s largest labour federation, the Quebec Federation of Labour (QFL).
