Unifor member Paul Totten died on the job on Monday, June 13, 2022 in Tillsonburg, Ontario where he worked as a technician for Bell Technical Solutions (BTS).
“Thoughts and deepest sympathies to Brother Totten’s loved ones and family including his union family. Our entire Unifor family grieves with you,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National Secretary-Treasurer.
TORONTO- Unifor members at Bell Technical Solutions (BTS) voted to ratify a strong collective agreement that delivers significant improvements in benefits, RRSP contributions, and wages for members across Ontario.
As your bargaining team, we will always report the information that members need, both the good and the bad.
This past week, the union and the company made movement on some important issues, including the definition of small business customers. Additionally, we have come to an agreement on permanent enhancements to occupational health and safety.
Investment in Atlantic Canada remains a top priority for Unifor as we head into the next week of bargaining on May 24, 2022.
We are pleased to announce that after four long months, we have reached a tentative agreement with the Company. This agreement is unanimously recommended and endorsed by your Bargaining Committee.
We will be holding a bargaining caucus to be followed by ratification meetings.
The dates of these meetings and how they will be conducted will be communicated as soon as we make the arrangements.
Moving forward we have agreed to revoke the notice to the Company regarding the recall of T/Managers.
On April 28, during negotiations, Unifor took a moment of silence to recognize workers lost on the job, on the Day of Mourning.
Each day we benefit from the labour of thousands of essential workers who give large proportions of their lives to provide us with everything that makes up modern life. Every year, hundreds suffer injury or illness because of their working conditions, and some of these workers die on the job.
During the week of April 11-15, your bargaining committee worked through multiple items and prioritized making a clear presentation of the membership’s position on teleworking. In our region, approximately 550 members are deemed to be remote or mobile, while others have been directed to return to the office with no recourse based on a policy (Bell Workways) that is entirely employer-directed.
As a reminder, Bell owns its policies, which are only limited by language we negotiate into the collective agreement and/or applicable laws.
This week, your UACL team made modest progress at the bargaining table.
Many items were discussed and some were agreed upon between the parties.
Additional dates are planned in the coming weeks, with the next round of talks scheduled virtually on April 12-14.
Thank you for your support and solidarity. Your bargaining committee will continue to communicate updates throughout the negotiations, including mobilization and solidarity actions in the coming weeks.
Last week, the UACL team engaged in contract negotiations with Bell, covering a lot of ground. Unifor and the Company reached agreement on many housekeeping items.
Our primary focus remains securing a strong collective agreement that will protect jobs in our region for the next generation of telecom workers. In order to reach that goal, we will continue to mobilize in our workplaces and show a united front to the Company.
Accessibility
Documents can be requested in alternative/accessible formats by emailing communications@unifor.org
