Shame On Bell – Add your voice

Source: https://www.shameonbell.ca/

Add Your Voice click the link above

 

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Shame on Bell.

Established 144 years ago, Bell has evolved into Bell Canada Enterprises Inc. (BCE Inc.), commanding the helm as Canada’s leading communications conglomerate. Now the company has been tarnished by the irresponsible and callous decisions by the Bell Board of Directors.

BCE’s systematic reduction of telecommunication jobs, outsourcing practices, offshoring endeavors, and the relentless downsizing of TV and radio newsrooms across the nation have cast a shadow over its legacy. Meanwhile, payouts to shareholders and executive board members have soared, exacerbating the growing chasm between corporate wealth and worker stability.

In a stunning blow to its workforce, February 2024 saw Bell axing an additional 4,800 jobs – a staggering 9% of its employees. More than 800 Unifor members, comprising 700 in telecommunications and more than 100 in media, found themselves abruptly terminated, casualties of a corporate ethos that prioritizes shareholder dividends over employee livelihoods.

Bell is a communications company with no moral fibre. While BCE points fingers at governmental policies, it cannot escape accountability for its actions.

Bell, Canadians demand that you:

  • Cease contracting and offshoring work, prioritize local employment and support Canadian workers.Bell must halt the practice of outsourcing jobs to foreign countries and prioritize employing Canadians. Offshoring work not only diminishes local job opportunities but also undermines the quality of service provided to Canadian customers. By investing in local jobs, Bell can contribute to the growth and prosperity of communities across the nation.
  • Stop slashing newsrooms and invest in local journalism to ensure accessible and diverse coverage for communities.The continuous reduction of TV and radio newsrooms across Canada limits the diversity and depth of news coverage available to citizens. Bell must cease the downsizing of newsrooms and instead commit to bolstering local journalism. Investing in newsrooms ensures that communities receive comprehensive and unbiased reporting, vital for informed civic engagement and democracy.
  • Reduce dividend payouts to prioritize reinvestment in employee well-being, job security, and infrastructure development.Excessive dividend payouts to shareholders and executive board members come at the expense of workers’ well-being and job security. Bell should reconsider its dividend policies and allocate a larger portion of profits towards employee benefits, training programs, and infrastructure improvements. Prioritizing reinvestment in its workforce and infrastructure ensures the long-term sustainability and success of the company.

Unifor celebrates International Women’s Day at events from coast to coast

A group of Unifor sisters posed behind IWD ballons.

 

International Women’s Day began because of union action by a determined group of women standing up for their rights at work more than a century ago. Unifor continues that tradition every day through solidarity, education, collective bargaining and political action that builds equity in workplaces and in communities.

But on March 8, we took a moment to gather, celebrate these achievements, and sometimes even squeeze in brunch!

Celebrate with us and see the faces of the women leading the change toward equity across Unifor workplaces.

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Unifor Women's Department Director Tracey Ramsey, holding a red Unifor flag, with Unifor staff and members at rally.

The annual International Women’s Day Toronto Rally and March on March 2 brought Unifor staff and members together with activists from a broad range of unions, associations, worker groups, feminist organizations and community groups to celebrate successes. Following a rally at the OISE auditorium, hundreds hit the streets of Toronto showing their support for the equity work that remains to be won.

 

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Four Unifor sisters posing for a selfie.

Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle and Unifor staff and members gathered at the New Westminster office in Vancouver and held a celebration for IWD on March 10 planned by the Regional Women’s Committee. With B.C. leading the country in coverage for prescription contraception, there was a lot to celebrate.

 

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Unifor National President Lana Payne with a group of Unifor sisters, all with fists raised in solidarity.

Unifor National President Lana Payne spoke to more than 250 members and leaders who attended the IWD Brunch at Local 222 in Oshawa on March 10. One member even shared a moving testimonial about how the union introduced her to a welcoming community that gave her the strength to be herself.

Creating space for everyone is a key part of the work Unifor does to change workplaces and make the world a better place.

 

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Unifor National President Lana Payne with two members standing under a balloon arch with someone taking a photo in the foreground.

With stunning décor of balloons and purple lights, Local 636 in Woodstock, Ont. welcomed Unifor National President Lana Payne, Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi, and Ontario Regional Council Chair Shinade Allder to speak at their annual IWD Brunch which featured an auction draw and a photo booth set up for members to capture memories of the event.

 

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A large group of Unifor members holding signs with feminist slogans.

Every year at the Unifor Family Education Centre (FEC) in Port Elgin, Ont., the Unifor Education Department hosts courses under the theme of Women’s Week. Courses include Women’s Advocate Basic Training for bargained Women’s Advocates, Collective Bargaining for Women, Women in Leadership and more!

Participants, leaders and FEC staff gathered for a group photo to mark IWD.

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A dozen Unifor sisters posing for a group photo.

Atlantic Regional Council Interim Chair Morgan Palmer and members of the ARC Women’s Committee gathered with activist sisters in Saint John, N.B. to collect toiletries and period supplies for two local women’s shelters, Coverdale Centre and Rose House. This is an annual effort organized by a dedicated group of members that supports women and children fleeing violence.

 

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A group of Unifor sisters many holding their fists in the air in solidarity.

In Kitchener, Ont., National President Lana Payne, Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi and Women’s Director Tracey Ramsey spoke of the importance of sisterhood with members from Local 1106 at an IWD Dinner that featured a special presentation from a local dance group. Women supporting women at every age!

 

Unifor members from coast to coast marked IWD in many ways. Stay informed on future events and the work Unifor is doing to advance women’s equity by registering for the monthly women’s newsletter at unifor.org/women.

Bell installs aerial alarms on its network to help fight copper theft, resulting in local arrests

Source: https://www.bce.ca/news-and-media

  • Bell calls on provincial and federal governments to join the fight to protect critical infrastructure and increase fines and implement amendments to the Criminal Code
  • Innovative aerial alarms launched across Bell’s network, with plans to expand deployment to more locations
  • Aerial alarms provide real time alerts of vandalism, primarily copper theft, allowing for faster response by local law enforcement

FREDERICTON, NB, March 13, 2024 /CNW/ – Bell has made security enhancements to its network, including the installation of aerial alarms, to enhance reliability for its customers and protect critical communications infrastructure from vandalism, primarily in the form of copper theft.

 

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VIA Rail’s Pivot to Privatization: The call to fight for public passenger rail – sign petition

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Unifor
|March 08, 2024

The impending privatization of VIA Rail brings with it a cloud of uncertainty for its unionized employees.

The government’s plan, shrouded in ambiguity, leaves us facing an unprecedented challenge to our livelihoods and the quality of service we’ve proudly delivered to Canadians for decades.

The transition to a private operator marks uncharted territory, with the potential to fundamentally alter the fabric of our work lives. The implications for Unifor members—and all unionized employees—are profound.

The end of our current collective agreements is set to coincide with the privatization schedule, placing our working conditions in a precarious balance. We’re not just facing changes; we’re facing a potential overhaul of the employment landscape as we know it.

It is during times like these that the solidarity of our union is most crucial. We must be vigilant, prepared to stand together to advocate not only for the preservation of our current terms but for the advancement of our working conditions in whatever new landscape we may face.

In the face of uncertainty, action becomes our strongest asset. Though the tracks ahead may be uncertain, our resolve is not.

Join Unifor’s Get Canada Back On Track campaign to keep VIA Rail publicly owned and operated. Share this message, sign the petition, write your MP and get involved. Your voice is the union’s strength. Together, we’ll ensure that our collective future remains on the right track.

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