1/24/2018 –

Media Release

January 24, 2018

Toronto – Unifor the union representing almost 5000 clerical workers at Bell Canada in Ontario and Quebec has reached a tentative agreement.

“In this round of negotiations, members united to tell Bell that it was time to start rebuilding respectful relationships and stop the erosion of good union jobs,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “I’m proud of the skill shown by the entire bargaining committee, and the solidarity of members across Ontario and Quebec.”

This was the first set of negotiations between clerical workers represented by the union and Bell Canada since Unifor’s founding in 2013. The tentative agreement is recommended for adoption by the bargaining team. With a tentative deal being reached between the union and the employer, Unifor members will now have the opportunity to vote on the terms of the contract.  Membership meetings and ratification votes will be scheduled in the coming weeks.

“When we started these negotiations, the employer offered proposals that would have continued to worsen clerical workers’ experiences on the job. Through the strength of member mobilizations and a united Unifor bargaining team, a fair agreement was reached to defend thousands of unionized jobs at Bell Canada,” said Renaud Gagne, Unifor Quebec Director.

The Bell clerical workers are represented in Quebec by Unifor Locals 6000, 6001, 6002 and 6003, and in Ontario by Unifor Locals 6004, 6005, 6006, 6007, 6008 and 37. All locals were represented in the bargaining caucus.

http://www.unifor.org/en/take-action/campaigns/bell-its-time-bell-clerical-bargaining

Why did Unifor leave the CLC?

This dispute is about the governance of the Canadian Labour Congress and its failure to prevent attacks on workers from their U.S.-based unions. The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) has rules in place to ensure workers have democratic rights, and that Canadian members of U.S. unions have clear autonomy. Unfortunately, this is not being followed or respected. Unifor is gravely concerned with U.S.-based unions trampling on the rights of workers and has made the decision to disaffiliate.

This exact issue was raised in 2017 when Unifor was vocal about the trusteeship of Local 113 of the ATU. Our union’s opposition is simple: we are opposed to any union that threatens, harasses, intimidates, or silences workers for simply asserting their democratic rights and autonomy. When workers turned to the CLC for support, they have been met by silence, despite Article 26 of the CLC constitution that is suppose to protect the rights of workers in Canada who are members of U.S.-based unions.

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