Telecommunications

TORONTO – Hundreds of Unifor Bell telecommunications members are being terminated on virtual group meetings today, just a day after Unifor rallied in Ottawa to call out Bell Canada Enterprises Inc. (BCE) for cutting thousands of jobs across the country while continuing to rake in profits and increase payouts to shareholders. 

OTTAWA –Unifor rallied in Ottawa today to call out Bell Canada Enterprises Inc. (BCE) for postponing a scheduled hearing before the House of Commons Heritage Committee to answer for the recent termination of 9% of BCE’s workforce.

OTTAWA— On Tuesday March 19, Unifor will hold a media conference followed by a Bell worker rally prior to the testimony of Bell executives before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage.  
 

Unifor Local 2000A members have overwhelmingly ratified a new four-year agreement with their employer, Zayo, an American telecommunications company headquartered in Boulder, Colorado. The agreement, reached after rigorous negotiations, marks a significant milestone as they achieved the largest wage gains in nearly 50 years.

Unifor has launched its new “Shame on Bell” campaign today in response to the telecommunications and media giant’s callous decision last month to slash 4,800 jobs, including 800 of our members in telco and media.

“We promised Bell a fight and they are going to get one,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Our union is not standing by idly while this company hands out pink slips, while profiting billions. Workers who have helped grow this company from the ground up are not disposable.”

“Bell has chosen to put profits over people in the middle of an affordability crisis. Bell, you have now put Unifor squarely on your path. You need to know our members recognize a fight when they see one. And so do I,” Unifor National President Lana Payne warns Bell Canada Enterprises following the termination of 4,800 workers, including 800 Unifor members in telecommunications and media. 

TORONTO – Unifor is outraged about today’s announcement from Bell Canada Enterprises Inc. (BCE Inc.) to cut 4,800 jobs – 9% of its workforce – affecting 800 of the union’s members, while deliberately putting shareholders ahead of workers with increased dividend payouts.

SaskTel is a Crown corporation held in high regard for its customer service and province-wide coverage. Under the Scott Moe government, it has been experiencing a troubling trend: the gradual but steady contracting out of union jobs.

This shift, marked by a reduction of approximately 300 good jobs in the last four years—10% of the unionized workforce—poses a threat not just to workers but to the very ethos of what a Crown corporation represents in Saskatchewan.

Contracting out at SaskTel are not isolated incidents but part of a broader, worrying pattern under the Sask Party.

Today, on Bell Let's Talk Day 2024, Unifor wrote to Bell Canada to address recent changes in mental health coverage at Bell Technical Solutions (BTS). Despite Bell Canada's commitment to mental health, the shift from Industrial Alliance to the Manulife Omni-flex plan at BTS has resulted in reduced mental health services for our members.

Unifor telecommunications members at Eastlink, represented by Local 919-M in Nova Scotia, have voted in favour of a new collective agreement that includes wage increases over the next three years.

The contract provides a 4.3% wage increase in the first year, followed by a 4% raise in the second year. The third year allows for a 2% raise and includes a ‘me too’ clause that stipulates that if the bargaining unit in Halifax receives more, these members will see the same increase. Additionally, employees will receive a $4,500 signing bonus.