TORONTO – Bell ExpressVu illegally locked-out employees in a collective bargaining dispute, according to their union which cited a ruling from the Canadian Industrial Relations Board.
The Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union (CEP) said Monday that some 100 Bell TV technicians, members of CEP local 79M, were given notice of lock-out on July 10 and told they were not to return to work during the 72 hour notice period. The union and Bell have been unable to agree on a collective agreement, as Cartt.ca has reported.
"The Board has acknowledged that employees were sent out on an illegal lock-out", said CEP national representative Mike Kachurowski, in a statement. "Our members are in the process of negotiating a first collective agreement and breaking the rules is not the way to start off a relationship. What we need is to get back to the bargaining table and work towards a TV agreement for TV employees".
Bell spokesperson Jacqueline Michelis told Cartt.ca on Monday that Bell received the 72-hour strike notice from the CEP first, on July 10.
“Because our focus is on ensuring uninterrupted service for Bell TV customers, we sent these unionized employees home with full pay until the 72-hour strike notice expired, while management assumed Bell TV network operations”, she said in an emailed response. “Bell’s bargained at length with the CEP and presented a fair and appropriate proposal for the Bell TV network employees.”
– Lesley Hunter
