Unifor Local 1996-O

by

Bell enters into a strategic engagement with the Vector Institute to advance artificial intelligence research and applications

For all your BCE news and media visit the source link below

https://www.bce.ca/news-and-media/releases?page=1&month=&year=&perpage=25

 

MONTRÉAL, March 3, 2022 /CNW Telbec/ – Bell today announced it has entered a five-year strategic engagement with the Vector Institute, an independent, not-for-profit corporation dedicated to research in the field of artificial intelligence (AI).

Bell’s collaboration with the Vector Institute is part of its objective to remain at the forefront of technology and innovation in telecommunications services, and encourage the development of, and expertise in, new, emerging technologies right here in Canada. Bell has invested over the past decades in developing extensive data, analytics capabilities, and AI applications in multiple areas of its operations. The collaboration will help to continue accelerating the development and adoption of AI applications across Bell.

Tapping into Vector’s diverse talent community and AI engineering capabilities to accelerate the application of advanced AI within Bell, is important for Bell’s continued focus on innovation that will benefit its customers and Canadian industry in the years to come. This collaboration will enable Bell to be part of Vector’s community of AI leaders in Canada.

“Bell is thrilled to collaborate with Vector and the work they’re doing in developing new research and expertise in artificial intelligence in Canada. Fostering the development of new technologies within our borders helps Canadian industry, and in turn benefits Canadians. We are proud to help accelerate innovation in this field so that we can harness AI for applications at Bell.”

 

To read the full article and other releases for BCE click the source link at the top of this posting

by

Revitalize Passenger Rail in Canada

Thumbnail

Our national public passenger rail system, VIA Rail, continues to suffer due to a lack in long-term government funding and investments, no legislative mandate and outdated equipment and infrastructure.

The elimination of routes and reduced frequency of service means that Canadians have fewer accessible transportation options, particularly in remote communities.

Further, the need to share tracks and give priority right of way access to freight is resulting in delays that can often stretch into days.
While countries, such as the U.S. and U.K., are making significant, historic investments in improving and enhancing their national passenger rail networks, Canada continues to slip further behind.

Canadians need a modern, affordable, reliable and safe passenger rail service. These investments can generate significant social, economic and environmental benefits.

Help get passenger rail service in Canada back on track

Click the link below

https://backontrack.unifor.org/take_action

by

1996-O Members on STD/LTD – Not Attested to company vaccine mandate of Feb 2022 ?

Sisters and brothers of 1996-O.
Those effected on STD/LTD benefits and absent from the workplace and have not attested to the company mandate for full vaccination compliance as of Jan 31 2022.
It has been brought to this executive’s attention that some of you who are currently on benefits and absent from work may have received letters in regards to attestation for the company Jan 31st vaccine mandate. For those who have previously attested and in compliance in regards to the vaccine mandated by the company, this is likely not applicable to you.
BTS 1996-O members who may not have attested prior to Jan 31st 2022, and started STD/LTD prior to the attestation deadline date, should reach out to this executive for additional information. The company is imposing termination for those that have not vaccinated by May 1 regardless of remaining on benefits beyond this May deadline. Many of you may not be returning or fit for regular duties till well beyond May 2022.
Sisters and Brothers, if this is applicable to you, we want to hear from you to provide you with additional information. Please reach out to one of the Executive.
Below is sample language in the letter sent to those effected:

Since you failed to attest to being fully vaccinated before starting your leave, we wish to inform you of what will happen when you will be cleared to return to work and remain non-compliant with the Company’s vaccination policy:

  • If your return to work date is prior to May 1st. 2022: You will be put on an unpaid leave until May 1st. 2022. date  on  which  your  employment  will  be terminated  without  further  notice, indemnity or pay in lieu. Your employment will not be terminated if you submit your proof demonstrating that you are Fully vaccinated to (Vaccine Verification Email) prior to May 1st, 2022.
  • If your return to work dote is on or after May 1st, 2022: Your employment will be terminated at the end of your leave without further notice. Indemnity or pay in lieu.
In Solidarity,
President, 1996-O
Lee Zommers

by

Healthcare Unions: Doug Ford’s Ad Hoc Gestures Won’t Fix The Worsening Health Human Resource Crisis

Unions representing 220,000 workers demand the repeal of Bill 124 and a real plan to fix the worsening health human resource crisis in Ontario

TORONTO, ON – Today, SEIU Healthcare, OCHU/CUPE, Unifor, and Ontario Nurses’ Association, unions representing 220,000 healthcare workers across Ontario, including 85,000 nurses, issued an open letter to Premier Ford to fix the worsening health human resource crisis in Ontario and move past the band aid pay-as-you-vote gimmicks.

Temporary fixes haven’t worked to stabilize the PSW workforce, and a one-time $5,000 payment won’t work to retain and recruit nurses who are asking long-term predictability and support.

Last month, healthcare unions wrote to Premier Ford regarding the staff shortages across many healthcare occupations and professions. Our unions have consistently urged the Premier to ensure that any retention bonus is inclusive of all front-line nurses and healthcare workers. Unfortunately, he chose to ignore the needs of the broader healthcare workforce who are feeling further demoralized because of this exclusionary retention bonus.

Ontario’s healthcare unions once again called on Premier Ford to repeal Bill 124 and take urgent action to better respect, protect, and pay healthcare workers.

QUOTES:

“Healthcare workers don’t need more of Premier Ford’s bumper sticker election gimmicks, they need a plan that works to fix the real problems that undermine our public healthcare system, including the immediate repeal of Bill 124. This International Women’s Day we repeat our demand that Premier Ford’s Conservatives at Queen’s Park repeal their anti-worker, anti-women wage restraint law and urgently address the health human resource crisis in Ontario.” – Sharleen Stewart, SEIU Healthcare

“What health care workers want is to be able to bargain wages that reflect their contribution and the significant inflation they are facing. They would like to be able to bargain psychological supports. None of this is possible because of Bill 124. Ad hoc gestures like one time retention bonuses don’t raise the base rates and aren’t pensionable. They don’t apply to everyone and leave all of other health care workers feeling unvalued. It’s time for the government to stop patronizing health care workers and let them bargain.” – Michael Hurley, President, OCHU/CUPE

“Almost every health care worker in the province continues to work under emergency orders that supersede their rights under their collective agreement, with no end in sight. They can be subjected to schedule changes, cancelled vacation and reassignment at a moments notice. Bill 124 and temporary bonuses for some, do nothing for the morale of these dedicated workers who make up a significant part of the team that provides great health care every single day.” – Katha Fortier, Assistant to the National President, Unifor

“Nurses across the province are angry at once again being thrown crumbs by this government, instead of meaningful solutions to the health staffing crisis. Premier Ford’s exclusionary bonus doesn’t begin to address the issues fuelling Ontario’s health workforce crisis and hurting patient care. If the Premier is serious about bolstering our health workforce, he needs to repeal Bill 124 immediately – no more excuses.” – Cathryn Hoy, President, Ontario Nurses’ Association

by

BTS – Saturday Scheduling

Sisters and Brothers, 1996-O

The local Executive have been working with the Bargaining Committee and have investigated the below mentioned in a communication from the bargaining committee and provided the data to be corrected in relation to RFT 3 and RPT status. If you find your schedule has not been corrected please reach out to an Executive member and we will work with the committee to have the errors addressed.

 

Bargaining Committee message:

 

Sisters and Brothers,

 

As most of you know the company violated Article 16, specifically pertaining to RFT3 (16.02 e) iii)) technicians being scheduled to work more than 6 out of 8 Saturdays on the current 8 week schedule.

 

Last week, we asked Locals to send us examples from your work centres so that we could address this issue directly with the company at the bargaining table. They have informed us today that they have corrected this for effected technicians, but we ask that you check and make sure that this has been resolved in your areas.

 

While reviewing the examples from locals that were submitted, we also noticed that part timers were not scheduled their guaranteed weekend off (for the quarter), as per Article 16.04 L).

 

Thank you,
Your BTS Bargaining Committee

Clayton Nunn, National Representative

Follow us on Twitter

LOCAL MEETINGS

More Local News

Unifor 1996-O

Unifor 1996-O

Local News in Your Inbox

Sign up for the latest from Local 1996-O in your inbox!