TORONTO – Approximately 100 Bell TV technicians in Ontario could be locked out starting this Saturday, according to their union.
The Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union (CEP) said Thursday that Bell Express Vu served notice that it will lock out 114 members of CEP Local 79M starting July 14 after failing to agree on a collective agreement.
The union issued a statement saying that it is been in negotiations with the company since April 2011, and that earlier this month Bell presented “a non-negotiable offer” that was rejected by 88% of its members. Some of the key issues are wages, wage grids, vacations, workplace adjustments and industry language.
"Our members deserve to have a decent and fair collective agreement," said CEP's Ontario administrative VP Barb Dolan, in the statement.
A Bell spokesperson told Cartt.ca that the company has “bargained with the union and presented a very fair and appropriate proposal.”
“Bell has worked to reach an agreement that is in the best interests of our customers, our team members and our company”, reads the emailed response.
The spokesperson added that Bell is “well prepared” to ensure uninterrupted service for its satellite TV and Fibe TV customers, and that its call centres, installation, repair and other services across Canada are not impacted.
– Lesley Hunter
