Unifor Local 1996-O

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Special Meeting Report

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Sisters and Brothers of Local 1996-O

On Sunday, February 28, 2016, Local 1996-O held a special meeting at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Toronto to talk about the future.

More than 500 were in attendance at this historic meeting, where they received a report from the Local Executive on the opportunities that exist to make fundamental improvements to our working conditions and to our collective bargaining strength.

Local President Sam Snyders delivered the presentation, based upon a new legal strategy which outlined how we could use the Canada Labour Code to our advantage, and a plan which could greatly improve our working lives.

Guest speakers included the Local Presidents from the other Bell Locals in the GTA– Brother Ray Mortimer from Local 26, Brother Jim White from Local 27C, Brother Doug Dutton from Local 52 and Brother Justin Connelly from Local 25. Together with Local 1996-0, these Local Presidents represent over half of the Bell and BTS technicians in Ontario and Quebec.

All of the Local Presidents spoke in favour of the following motion that was passed by over 90% of the Local 1996-O members in attendance:

“That the Local 1996-O executive continue to build alliances with other Bell and BTS locals and work with Unifor National to take whatever action is necessary to ensure that BTS members obtain the same rights and benefits as all other Bell members, and ensure that Bell and BTS can never again force members to scab against each other providing the majority of BTS locals agree.”

As President Sam Snyders stated at the meeting “We know that equality is achievable. We have a plan and are building a movement for change. It’s common sense”.

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LOCAL 1996-O EXECUTIVE ELECTIONS 2016

Brothers and Sisters:

As per the Unifor National Union decision dated on March 17 2015, to be compliant with the decision, Local 1996-O will have Executive elections no later than July 31,2016.

In light of this National Union decision, Nomination forms are now open from March 01 2016 – March 07 2016 24:00hrs.

Please download the Nomination form and follow the instructions provided in the form.

In Solidarity,

Local 1996-O

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BCE, the best performing telecom stock!

 

In case you missed yesterday’s big financial news, BCE released adjusted Q4 earnings. It looks like they’re outperforming everyone else and the bottom line is healthier than ever:

BCE Inc. (BCE.TO 0.00%) is raising its dividend five percent after fourth-quarter adjusted earnings met expectations and amid what the company’s CFO calls a “very strong” financial foundation.

As Canadians continue to flock to wireless everything, consume media on our phones, watch TV online, etc., BCE and its shareholders are reaping the rewards.

“Bell’s operating momentum and financial foundation going into 2016 are very strong,” said Chief Financial Officer Glen LeBlanc in a statement. “We expect to drive growth in underlying adjusted net earnings and a healthy year-over-year increase in free cash flow.”

With Bell’s continued investment in capital spending programs ($3B last year, likely to stay the same), the future looks clear and bright.

We love BCE. They’re our livelihood. Our Partners. Their success is our success, right? That’s why we approach our work for them with the spirit that we do.

So, naturally, we can expect to benefit in our share of the healthy bottom line, rewards, and increased free cash flow, right? I mean, the only thing that might get in the way would be if that success was to some degree dependent on keeping us down.

“Overall, results show continued resiliency in operations and strong cost control – a BCE management hallmark,” wrote Desjardins Capital Markets analyst Maher Yaghi in a note to clients Thursday morning.

I, for one, certainly hope that “strong cost control” isn’t code for “squeezing our unions.”

The Business News Network report sums up what the news means well in both the written post quoted from above and the series of great video interviews with analysts that loops at the top. Everyone is excited about how BCE is growing according to expectations, benefitting from wireless adoption, and BCEs infrastructure profile relative to that of its competitors across Canada.

It’s all good news for BCE. Let’s make sure incoming RBC Chief Executive Officer Gord Nixon, who will be nominated as chairperson of BCE, recognizes us for the role our work plays in BCEs success, instead of reporting profits based on paying us less.

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Come One, Come All

Your time is valuable. You know that. We know that. And the team at the Local 1996-O office make every effort we can for Bell to realize it. Your opinions are also very valuable. The membership meetings are an opportunity for us to see the strength of our numbers and to glean the collective wisdom of our crowd.

With your engagement and participation at the local level, we will share committee updates and Executive reports. We will listen to you, and it will inform how we structure our agenda to collectively act. How we move forward together. We must build a strong solidarity and be ready to act.

We ask that you participate and have your voice heard at the following Local Membership meetings:

Tuesday March 29, 2016
7:30-9:00
Grand Prix Kartways
75 Carl Hall Rd.
Toronto, M3K-2B9

Tuesday June 28, 2016
7:30-9:00
RCL
9 Dawes Rd.
Toronto, M4C-5A8

Sunday Sept 18, 2016
7:30-9:00
Local 252
1343 Matheson Blvd E.
Miss, L4W-1R1

Friday December 9, 2016
7:30-9:00
RCL
9 Dawes Rd.
Toronto, M4C-5A8

The dates and locations for this years meetings have been chosen to to make it easier for more of us to attend. We’ve spread the meeting locations out, and we’ve included two weekend meeting dates.

In Solidarity,

Sam

Sam Snyders
President, Local 1996-O
416 Health and Safety Co-Chair
Unifor Chairperson Workers with Disabilities
LRC Committee and JSDC Committee
Ont. Bargaining Rep
Telecommunications Industry Council Representative

Office 416-237-1996 cell 416-839-8151
samdances@hotmail.com
 

 

Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/Unifor1996?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

Twitter    :   https://twitter.com/SammySnyders

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Sharing is Caring

We all need food to live. Unfortunately, with the cost of food increasing it is getting hard for many to buy all that they need.

Our trip to St. Francis Table serving meals last month was as rewarding as it is every year. It would be nice to be able to volunteer more often. It would also be nice drop off at the nearby food bank.

(http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/literally-psyched/the-psychology-behind-gift-giving-and-generosity/). Unfortunately, our realities don’t make it possible for each of us as individuals enjoy the benefits of giving.

The good news is that being a member of this Union does.

Local 1996-O has donated food and $5,000 to the Daily Bread Food Bank. We also enjoyed the privilege of bringing a $3,000 cheque to FoodShare on your behalf. It will go to programs that feed belly’s and minds of children in schools across the GTA.

Sam dropping off food and a cheque at the Daily Bread Food Bank

Sam dropping off food and a cheque at the Daily Bread Food Bank

 

This money comes from Unifor’s Social Justice Fund. Unifor National is donating $135,000 to 46 different food banks across Canada.

“Cash donations help food banks fill in the blanks to their all important food donations, to make sure the families using the food banks can have a balanced diet.” Mohamad Alsadi, Director of Unifor Nationals Human Rights and International Department.

There are many reasons people need the support of FoodBanks. The cost of living is a big one. With the Loonie at a thirteen year low, food prices are only going to continue to climb over the next year.

Together we can make a real difference in the lives of people in need. And together we can make a difference in the lives of our fellow workers.

When it comes right down to it, there’s not a lot we can’t do when we work as a team.

 

Orlando Martín López Gómez of FoodShare receiving a cheque at the Crotia Street headquarters
Orlando Martín López Gómez of FoodShare receiving a cheque at the Crotia Street headquarters

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