Unifor Local 1996-O

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Presenting the Facts

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Brothers and Sisters,

We wish to address the misinformation circulating in regard to our fight for equality. It is unfortunate during this time of strife between the Union and the company that some individuals have chosen to publicly air their disagreements without first addressing the Local 1996-O Executive directly.

Our recent update mentioned that members from other Bell and BTS locals have contacted us requesting information about our common sense campaign. This is a fact! And why wouldn’t they? Wanting to know how to secure additional rights and benefits is what any member should want.

In response, we have directed them to seek answers from their own local representatives as all Ontario Communications Council (OCC) delegates have access to the same information as members of Local 1996-O.

Last November, the same OCC delegates voted in favour of a proposal for the GTA Presidents to take our plan of action to Jerry Dias, President of Unifor, based on a legal opinion obtained by Local 1996-O.  During the council, we were asked whether we had membership support…

So what did we do?

We brought the same presentation to you, our members, and an astonishing 91% of you voted in support of this mission for fairness and equality.

Our members gave us their direction and this local executive is going to do exactly what the membership has asked:  we are going to continue to spread awareness of this new legal opinion and advance our fight for equality.

To stay with the status quo (as certain individuals suggest), should not be an option.  Are there associated risks?  Of course.  But doing nothing is an even bigger risk.

We all know that there are already 1,200 contractors out there doing our work.  What happens when there are three times as many contractors in 2018, PLUS Bell technicians who will be forced to scab our work?

High wages? Don’t think so.  More benefits?  Doubt it.  More hours?  Not likely.  Layoffs?  Most definitely.

What do we have to lose by trying to gain more leverage now – before we lose everything in 2018?

What has been circulated is simply inaccurate. It only serves to slow down the momentum of our fight for fairness and equality.  It is a crude attempt to stop progress and spread fear. Local 1996-O and its Executive are not afraid.

In fact, we are proud to represent the members of Local 1996-O in the way that they expect based on a 91% vote in favour of this campaign.  We are pushing this plan of action forward and taking it to Jerry Dias and the National Union.  This Local is fighting for equality.  There are those who believe it isn’t attainable, but that thinking will get us nowhere.  We will not cower in the face of opposition. Do not let fallacies sway you from what you know to be true.

Where do you want to stand come 2018?

Fighting for Equality – It’s Common Sense

 

In Solidarity,

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Movement Update!

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Fighting for Equality – It’s Common Sense

“Your” Movement Update

 

On Sunday, February 28, 2016, Local 1996-O held a special membership meeting at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Toronto to discuss the ‘Fighting for Equality – It’s Common Sense’ campaign.

At the meeting, Local Presidents from the other Bell and BTS locals in the GTA spoke in favour of the campaign.

In the end, over 90% of the 500 members present voted in favour of a motion which authorized the Local executive to build more alliances with other Bell and BTS locals and to continue the fight for equality.

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Since that historic meeting, the Local executive has worked non-stop to build momentum for the campaign.

Here are some of the highlights:

Members from Bell and BTS locals across Ontario – from London, Kitchener, Ottawa, Hamilton, Windsor, and Peterborough have requested information about building the campaign in their locals.

The largest BTS Local in Quebec has contacted the executive on how to launch the campaign in their region.

The Bell and BTS members from Local 52 in Newmarket voted over 80% in support of the campaign.

The Bell members of Local 27C in Toronto will vote on a motion of support at their next Local meeting in April.

On March 2, Local 1996-O President Sam Snyders got a great reception when he spoke about the campaign to dozens of other Local officers and National Representatives at the Local Union Task Force meeting.

As President Snyders stated at the meeting “Local 1996-O is fighting for equality for BTS workers. We know that it is achievable. It’s common sense”.

Its common sense

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Local union task force

Local Union Task Force Attendees.

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LOCAL 1996-O EXECUTIVE ELECTIONS 2016

 

Brothers and Sisters,

Nominations have closed for the 2016 Executive Elections.

The dates of the election are the following:

  • Mail out of ballots will commence from March 8th 2016 to March 9th 2016.
  • Return ballot envelopes must be deposited by way of Canada Post no later than March 20th 2016 2400hrs.
    (Note any return ballot envelopes postmarked after March 21st 2016 will not be accepted or counted.)
    Spoiled ballots are those that do not clearly indicate the person voted for/and or otherwise marked in any way, including if the return envelope has been written/marked on, or tampered with. (There is a detailed explanation insert with the mailed out ballots.)
  • The Election will take place on March 24th 2016.

1996-O, 2016 Election candidates as follows:

President:

  • Sam Snyders
  • Colum Lynn  

Vice President:

  • Lee Zommers
  • Nabil Nassar 

Secretary:

  • Chris Glover
  • Art McCrorie

Treasurer:

  • Brian Lowery
  • Louis Donisi  
  • Janet Quigley

 

In Solidarity,

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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