HALIFAX- Contract negotiations kicked off today for 1,700 members who work for Bell Aliant across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.

“These proud Atlantic Canadian workers have had enough of Bell Aliant shipping their work out of the region or overseas,” said Chris MacDonald, Unifor Assistant to the National President. “In today’s opening day, they laid down a clear demand that Bell Aliant keep the work in Atlantic Canada where the profits are made.”

Members are seeking an end to Bell’s concerted strategy of job erosion. Since purchasing Bell Aliant in 2014, hundreds of jobs have been lost from this bargaining unit through processes like contracting out.

“I’m proud of these members and their solidarity with the entire bargaining committee for taking such a firm stand in these negotiations,” said Roch Leblanc, Unifor Telecommunications Director.

Negotiations began with the union and the employer exchanging proposals on Friday, February 18, 2022. Talks are scheduled to continue on March 1, 2022.

The previous collective agreement expired on December 31, 2021.

In the past week, more than 15,000 members including Atlantic and Clerical workers in Quebec and Ontario as well as for members at BTS have opened negotiations with the company.

Bell Aliant workers are represented by Local 401, Local 410, Local 506 and Local 2289.

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.