Source: https://globalnews.ca/news/10295853/bell-conditions-crtc-wholesale-internet-access/
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.
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.
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.
Unifor members and leadership joined hundreds on Parliament Hill to rally in support of public health care on February 13, 2024.
“Unifor members believe in the fundamental right to accessible, quality health care for all, and we’re here to tell the federal government that if provinces are not going to protect public health care, Ottawa must,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Public funding in health care, including dental and pharmacare, is essential and desperately needed across Canada – but it needs to come with strings attached so that health care workers are recognized with fair wages and safe workloads.”
The event, organized by the Canadian Health Coalition and supported by various labour unions, health care professionals and community organizations, called attention to the pressing need for increased funding and support for public health care services across the country.
“Our health care members are on the frontlines witnessing the impact of underfunding every day,” said Kari Jefford, President of Local 229 and National Executive Board Member representing health care workers. “We rallied on Parliament Hill to demand action because we believe that no one should have to choose between their health and their financial well-being. It’s time the federal government steps up to ensure that public health care does not become a relic of the past, but a sustainable promise for the future.”
The rally featured heartfelt stories from individuals across the country, who shared their experiences with the health care system and called for urgent reforms to address the long-standing issues of underfunding, staffing shortages, and inequitable access to services. Advocates also highlighted the importance of addressing the social determinants of health, including housing, employment, and environmental factors, which significantly impact Canadians’ well-being.
“In Nova Scotia, we’re seeing firsthand how shortages in staff and resources are stretching our public health system to its limits,” said Jennifer Benoit, President of Local 2107. “Today’s rally isn’t just about voicing our concerns; it’s about advocating for a public health care system that values its workers as much as its patients. We’re calling on the government to safeguard our health care with proper funding and support, ensuring access for all, regardless of where they live.”
As chants and calls for action echoed off the parliamentary buildings, the message was clear: the time for meaningful health care reform is now. The Canadian Health Coalition presented a list of demands, including increased federal funding for health care, the implementation of a national pharmacare program, and measures to support health care workers and ensure the sustainability of the system.
Participants left Parliament Hill energized, ready to continue the fight for a health care system that truly serves the needs of every Canadian.
February 8, 2024
TORONTO – Unifor is outraged about today’s announcement from Bell Canada Enterprises Inc. (BCE Inc.) to cut 4,800 jobs – 9% of its workforce – affecting 800 of the union’s members, while deliberately putting shareholders ahead of workers with increased dividend payouts.
“This is absolutely devastating news for thousands of workers and their families. Adding insult to injury, the company is conducting this mass layoff while increasing dividends to shareholders and buying back shares,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
“Executives and shareholders are doing just fine while our members are being thrown out of work, including once again in the media. Our union does not accept the use of government policy changes as a smokescreen to justify the company’s actions,” said Payne.
Bell has been a beneficiary of the Government of Canada’s support for the domestic telecommunications and media industries, allowing the company to become a telecommunications giant in Canada.
Of the 800 Unifor members, the vast majority come from the telecommunications sector, who are largely workers responsible for keeping Canadians connected, with 100 workers coming from the media sector.
The company is also cancelling the noon news broadcasts on all CTV stations, except in Toronto, and its dinner and evening weekend newscasts on all CTV and CTV2 stations, except in Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa. The loss of local news across Canada is devastating to our country and our democracy.
This is the largest mass layoff by the company in 30 years and delivered at a time when the company is on sound financial footing, able to continuously raise dividends year-over-year during the past decade and buy back shares which helps to feather the nests of shareholders and executives.
While Bell continues to pass the buck, blaming the federal government and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission’s slow roll to provide financial relief for media companies through The Online News Act (Bill C-18) and updates to the Broadcast Act (Bill C-11), the company still reported a whopping $2.3 billion profit at the end of last year.
The announcement marks the second major layoff at the media and telecommunications company since June, when it announced 6% of jobs were eliminated and nine radio stations were either closed or sold.
“We are deeply dismayed by this announcement of job cuts at Bell, which directly impacts our members,” said Unifor Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier.
“This unilateral decision shows a blatant lack of consideration for the dedication and hard work of Unifor members, who do not deserve this instability. We express our anger and indignation at this unacceptable situation.”
Len Poirier, Unifor National Secretary-Treasurer, said these hardworking individuals, who have dedicated themselves to the company, deserve better treatment.
“We condemn this decision and stand in solidarity with our members,” he said.
The company also confirmed in a separate internal memo that it intends to sell 45 of its 106 radio stations to seven buyers, with the sales subject to CRTC approval and other closing conditions.
The affected radio stations are in Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada. Unifor represents members at four of the B.C. radio stations.
Unifor represents more than 10,000 media workers, including 5,000 members in the broadcast and film industries. Over 2,100 members work at Bell Media.
Unifor represents 26,000 telecommunications workers, including more than 19,000 members at BCE Inc. and its subsidiaries.
Unifor is Canada’s largest union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad and strives to create progressive change for a better future.
For more information, please contact Unifor National Communications Representative: Jenny Yuen or (416) 938-6157.