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Bell CEO, other execs called to committee to testify over recent job cuts

Source: https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/bell-ceo-other-execs-called-to-committee-to-testify-over-recent-job-cuts-1.6768254

Published

OTTAWA – Members of Parliament have invited several top executives from BCE Inc. and Bell Canada to testify later this month about the company’s decision to cut about nine per cent of its workforce this year.

The House of Commons heritage committee has agreed to invite BCE Inc. CEO Mirko Bibic to address the cuts, which include impacts on newsrooms across the country.

Click the source link for full story…

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Bell wants conditions if CRTC mandates wholesale internet access

Source: https://globalnews.ca/news/10295853/bell-conditions-crtc-wholesale-internet-access/

By Sammy Hudes The Canadian Press
Posted February 14, 2024 7:17 pm
4 min read

BCE Inc. is urging the CRTC to implement conditions such as caps on eligible speeds and initial access restrictions if the regulator allows smaller internet providers to use rivals’ fibre networks to offer their services to customers.

Representatives of Bell Canada’s parent company appeared before the CRTC on Wednesday as part of the commission’s consultation on internet competition.

Read the article click the source link above…

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Bill 124 appeal ruling a win for workers, Ontarians

Unifor members and allies from the Health Care sector holding flags and posters in support of fair wages.

 

TORONTO — Unifor commends the Ontario Court of Appeal’s decision today, upholding the Ontario Superior Court’s ruling that Bill 124 is unconstitutional.

“This decision is vindication for the tens of thousands of workers, many of them working in health care and education, who were denied their constitutional right to fair and free collective bargaining. It also sends a strong and clear message to governments across this country considering using legislative powers to deny workers’ rights,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

“The Charter rights of workers, specifically, the right to freedom of association and all that this entails, are not something governments can ignore or deny anytime they feel like it. Unifor will always vigorously defend those rights,” said Payne.

Following the Ontario Superior Court’s ruling that Bill 124 was unconstitutional, Unifor has been pivotal in winning retroactive pay for workers impacted by the Ontario government-imposed wage caps. Unifor, along with other unions, had negotiated special “re-opener” language into collective agreements should the bill be struck down so wages could be renegotiated. This has resulted in wage increases for workers across the health and education sector.

“Lifting wages and protecting fundamental workplace rights has never been more crucial as workers struggle with affordability and a health care system that can’t meet patients’ needs,” says Samia Hashi, Unifor Ontario Regional Director.

“Strong collective bargaining helps workers not just improve their working conditions, but the quality of public services. Unifor will continue to fight for quality public services that Ontarians deserve.”

Bill 124 impacts more than 18,155 Unifor members in hospitals, non-profit long-term care homes, paramedic services, social services, and in education.

More than 70% of Unifor’s members impacted by Bill 124 are women doing undervalued, traditionally female-dominated care work.

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Unifor welcomes federal-provincial health funding with call for focused investment

February 9, 2024

 

TORONTO – Unifor welcomes the announcement of a new agreement between the federal and Ontario governments that promises to inject $3.1 billion in federal funding into the province’s health care system.

“Today’s announcement comes as a vital boost for Ontario’s health care system that’s facing immense strain,” said Lana Payne. “The agreement comes at a critical time as Ontario’s health care system faces severe staffing shortages, a historic high in the number of patients without a family doctor, and escalating wait times in hospital emergency rooms. We must ensure that these funds are not siphoned off by private interests but are directed where they will strengthen Ontario’s public health care system.”

The “Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care” is a result of negotiations following a national health funding summit in February 2023 where the federal government announced a significant increase in federal health transfers to the provinces, totaling $17.3 billion over the next ten years. Additionally, a further $25 billion has been pledged over the same period for bilateral agreements that focus on four federal priorities: enhancing access to family health services, increasing the health care workforce, bolstering mental health and addiction services, and modernizing health data collection. The agreement with Ontario is the fifth agreement announced, after British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Alberta, and Nova Scotia.

“The rapid push towards privatization in Ontario’s health care by the provincial government is deeply troubling,” said Samia Hashi, Unifor Ontario Regional Director. “This trend not only undermines public hospital staffing and increases wait times but also paves the way for a two-tier health care system, where profits overshadow patient needs. With every step towards for-profit care, from surgeries to long-term care, we move further from the principles of equity and quality in health care. We must ensure that the new funding prioritizes patients over profits.”

Unifor remains committed to advocating for a strong, accessible, and public health care system across the country. The union plans to engage in discussions with both federal and provincial governments, aiming to strategically direct the new funding for the greatest public benefit.