by

Co-op Refinery workers vote overwhelmingly to strike

December 3, 2019 – 12:00 AM

December 3, 2019

REGINA – Members of Unifor Local 594 have responded to the Co-op Refinery’s attack on their pension by voting 97.3 per cent in favour of striking if necessary.

“We are pleased but not surprised,” said Kevin Bittman, president of Unifor Local 594. “Our members are justifiably frustrated. Morale is low. Nobody enjoys going to the job they love when Co-op continues to show such pettiness and contempt for their expertise and value.”

The union’s position has not changed since mandatory mediation broke down on November 12—it wants choice and protection on pensions.

“The union is willing to make changes to pension liabilities but will not budge on pension security for every worker. At this time when Co-op is raking in billions in profit, anything less is an unnecessary concession,” said Scott Doherty, lead Unifor negotiator and Executive Assistant to National President Jerry Dias.

800 members of Unifor Local 594 covering 21 different job classifications across the Co-op Refinery will continue keeping the plant safe and profitable while its bargaining team contemplates next steps.

“We love our jobs and would always much rather be on the inside,” said Bittman, “But this level of greed and disrespect from a so-called co-operative absolutely cannot go unchallenged.”

by

CRTC sides with Rogers in its dispute with Bell over toll-free call routing

Telecom Decision CRTC 2019-390

Rogers Communications Canada Inc. – Application regarding routing of the company’s toll-free traffic destined for Bell Canada’s toll-free telephone number customers

In order to enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of Canadian telecommunications, and to ensure that regulatory measures relating to network interconnection arrangements promote competitive neutrality, the Commission directs Bell Canada, as a condition of providing its Routing of CLEC 800/888 Calls service, to deploy one-way toll trunks to connect with RCCI’s switches in the Bell Canada operating territories in which RCCI also provides service. These toll trunks are to be deployed for the routing of RCCI-originating toll-free (TF) traffic to Bell Canada’s toll-free telephone number (TFTN) customers, within 150 days of the date of this decision. The Commission also directs Bell Canada to file with the Commission, at least 30 days prior to completing the deployment of the toll trunks, proposed revised tariff pages indicating that Bell Canada will receive RCCI-originating TF traffic destined for Bell Canada’s TFTN customers over the toll trunks deployed to RCCI’s switches.

The Commission denies RCCI’s request to start billing Bell Canada, as of 1 April 2019, for all TF-related charges and minutes associated with RCCI-originating TF traffic destined for Bell Canada’s TFTN customers. The Commission determines that it would be appropriate for RCCI to begin charging Bell Canada for the traffic in question commencing on the date that Bell Canada completes the deployment of its one-way toll trunks to RCCI’s switches.
Read More Here…

by

CGI to appoint BCE CEO George Cope to board of directors

05 December 2019 Consulting.ca

Tech consultancy CGI will nominate George Cope to its board of directors on January 29, 2020, at its next annual general meeting of shareholders. Since 2008, Cope has been the CEO of BCE, which owns Bell Canada and Bell Media.

After nearly 12 years as CEO of Canada’s largest communications company, Cope will be retiring from the role in January. Mirko Bibic, BCE’s chief operating officer, will take over as head of the Montreal-based telecom and mass media giant.

Taking the reins of the firm in the midst of the financial crisis, Cope re-energized BCE with key investments into broadband, services, and content. He oversaw more than $15 billion in strategic investments and acquisitions, including brands such as CTV, Astral, The Source, Virgin Mobile, and Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment (which the company co-owns with rival Rogers).

Read the article here…

by

December is Universal Human Rights month

human rights

https://nationaldaycalendar.com/universal-human-rights-month-december/

Universal Human Rights Month is an annual designation observed in December. This month and every month to follow, people all across the globe are encouraged to come together and stand up for equality, justice, and the dignity of all humans. December is a time to honor the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, an international document stating the basic rights and fundamental freedoms to which all human beings are entitled. These rights include freedom from discrimination, the right to equality, and the right to be considered innocent until proven guilty.

 

Use #UniversalHumanRights, #HumanRights, and #StandUp4HumanRights to post on social media.