Bell Canada issues layoff notices while outsourcing Wireless to the Home project
TORONTO, April 18, 2019 /CNW/ - Unifor cries foul at Bell Canada's decision to layoff technicians and outsource major Wireless to the Home project.
"By issuing layoff notices with one hand and contracting out work with the other, Bell is continuing its long history of job erosion at Bell Canada," said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. "The launch of a program like Wireless to the Home should be good news for people who work at Bell, but instead the company chose to exclusively hire non-union contractors."
On Thursday, April 18, 2019, 76 technicians received layoff notices from Bell Canada across Ontario and Quebec.
Bell's Wireless to the Home project is a large-scale investment connecting rural Canadians with wireless high-speed internet, launching first in Ontario and Quebec. The federal government provides funding to Bell for many rural projects, likely including this one. Federal government investment needs to support good jobs.
"Canada's telecommunications sector should support good jobs, where you don't have to worry if your job will be outsourced or eliminated even in times when the company is thriving," said Renaud Gagné, Unifor Quebec Director. "All Canadians should have access to high-quality and affordable internet services, but there is no reason why Unifor members can't lead the way in getting Canadians connected."
Employees of Bell Canada and Bell subsidiaries have long campaigned for fairness and respect at work, against contracting out and other forms of job erosion. The union is currently preparing to launch a campaign that in part is focused on opposing the contracting out of the Wireless to the Home project, to ensure the long-term viability of good jobs in the telecommunications sector.
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.
SOURCE Unifor
News published on and distributed by:
