November 6, 2024

 

TORONTO – The union representing Bell workers questions the decision by Bell Canada Enterprises Inc. (BCE), to acquire American company Ziply Fiber following a year of devastating cuts in Canada.

“With the announcement of this purchase, Bell sent a message to Canadian customers and employees. The market that built this company is no longer a priority. Bell has spent the past year divesting from Canadian sports, cutting Canadian telecom jobs and hollowing out Canadian newsrooms to drum up the cash for this American acquisition,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

In an internal memo to Bell workers on November 4, the company shared that, “Bell and Ziply Fiber are a great fit. We share a similar culture, vision and long-term strategy… Ziply Fiber also shares our critical commitment to putting the customer first in everything we do.”

“On the same day that the CBC shares the desperate complaints from Bell customers about underhanded fee increases, Bell claims to prioritize its customers? The company may not be, but Unifor members at Bell are committed to providing excellent services and growing with the company. We need Bell to include us in its vision for the future to do so,” said Unifor Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier.

“Based on Bell’s behaviour in Canada, I have a warning for workers at Ziply; when the dust settles from this deal, watch out for Bell’s tendency to slash jobs,” said Unifor National Secretary Treasurer. Len Poirier.

In early 2024 Unifor launched the Shame on Bell campaign to call on the company to stop its contracting out and offshoring of telecom jobs, stop slashing Canadian newsrooms and reduce dividend payouts to reinvest in employee wellbeing, infrastructure, and job security.

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LMI October 2024-EN

October 2, 2024

 

TORONTO/MONTREAL – Following Expertech’s move to cut 120 positions across Ontario and Quebec on October 1, Unifor is once again sounding the alarm about the hollowing out of good jobs at Bell Canada Enterprises Inc. (BCE Inc.) and its subsidiaries.

“It’s apparent to most everyone that Bell’s leadership, including Mirko Bibic, have no plan for the future of this company except to maximize shareholder dividends at the cost of everything else,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “They’re playing fast and loose not only with the livelihood of thousands of workers but with the future of Canada’s telecommunications and media industries.”

The job cuts will eliminate 18% of the unit’s 660-person membership, which is represented by more than 19 local unions located in both provinces. The cuts will first be made through a VSP (Voluntary Separation Program) as well as RIO’s (Retirement Incentive Offers).

“Today’s announcement showcases again how Bell is ambling towards a death by a thousand cuts. Unifor members at Bell and its subsidiaries care about the services they provide and want to be a part of a strong future for telecommunications, but the company has no such vision,” said Unifor Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier.

Unifor represents clerical workers and technicians at Expertech, a wholly owned subsidiary of BCE Inc. The members ratified a new collective agreement with the company in June 2024. The current 4-year agreements are backdated to December 1, 2023 and will be in effect until November 30, 2027.

“There is no reason why such a longstanding and profitable company should be unable to provide reliable, good jobs for its workers,” said Unifor National Secretary Treasurer Len Poirier. “Even in this instability one thing is certain- Unifor members fight back.” Unifor’s ‘Shame on Bell’ campaign aims to highlight the struggles faced by workers, including those at Bell Expertech. The campaign underscores the detrimental impact of Bell’s recent decisions to slash jobs, prioritizing profit margins over the well-being and livelihoods of its workforce.

BTS Communication – Company position on Bill C-63 (24 hours notice of shift change)