MONTREAL – Bell Canada and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada announced today they had agreed on a pay equity settlement that will benefit as many as 4,765 current and former Bell employees.
The battle has been a long one, covering female employees who worked at Bell from January 1, 1993 to December 31, 1999.
"Bell is pleased to have reached a settlement with the CEP concerning this longstanding issue," said Michael Sabia, CEO of Bell Canada. "The settlement is fair and reflects Bell’s commitment to an equitable and diversified workplace. We look forward to its ratification and to putting this matter behind us."
The proposed settlement covers Bell employees in positions occupied primarily by women and represented by the CEP. Eligible current and former Bell employees must have been employed in these positions for at least six months between January 1, 1993 and December 31, 1999.
Voting on the proposal will take place at ratification meetings to be conducted by the CEP in a number of cities and communities across Ontario and Québec between May 23 and June 15, with results expected on June 19.
The settlement is valued at approximately $100 million. "BCE had already fully provisioned for a cash settlement of this kind. Therefore, there is no change to financial guidance for 2006," said the press release.
