Share
In the next year alone, Bell Clerical units from Ontario and Quebec, Bell MTS, and Bell workers across Atlantic Canada will go to the table, representing thousands of Unifor members in the telecommunications sector.
At a strategy session in the Unifor national office on November 18, Unifor National Secretary Treasurer Len Poirier addressed representatives from each of these groups, plus Bell Sales, Expertech clerical and BTS clerical representatives, “We need to work hard. We're coming up with a strategy for clerical, engaging the other Telco workers, other Bell workers, and that we can move forward together.”
Local leaders participated in a workshop to report on technological change and artificial intelligence led by Kaylie Tiessen and Mike Yam from Unifor’s Research Department. Many raised concerns with surveillance by these new technologies, but also with Bell’s attempt to rebrand as a tech company and the unclear development of technologies at work.
“When it comes to the conversation about "telco to techco," this is a conversation about how they're attracting investors,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “For us, it doesn't matter what the company calls themselves, it's about who owns the work at BCE and Bell Canada. We must be part of the discussion about AI in our workplaces, who runs it, how it is applied.”
To look ahead to bargaining, local representatives first looked back at what they had accomplished in previous rounds, both at the table and through membership mobilization. Hugues Perreault and Sarah McCue from Servicing and Communications led discussions on previous bargaining gains, and how clerical workers’ bargaining goals can fit into national telecom campaigns.
“The conversation that we’re having today helps every telecom member in their next round of bargaining, but we need to keep these doors open and connect members directly with their bargaining and mobilization teams,” said Unifor Telecommunications Director Roch Leblanc.
Coming out of the strategy session, local representatives committed to keep working together toward their bargaining and campaigns goals.
National webinars will be organized for clerical workers in the coming weeks so that members can directly join in the conversation. Reach out to your local union to get the registration information!
Local representatives stressed the importance of engaging members but also in reaching out to telco customers, both within the union and beyond.
“We need to reach beyond our units. Because we know that every Canadian would love lower bills and better services. We all want stable and secure networks for health care, businesses, and each one of us in our home,” said Poirier.
