The layoff of 100 Bell Canada workers is appalling, and a clear sign the next federal government needs to do much more to protect Canadian workers, says Paul Moist, national president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).
CUPE is pledging its support to the affected Bell Canada Enterprises (BCE) workers, and to their union, the Communications, Energy, Paperworkers Union of Canada (CEP).
“Many of these employees have been with Bell for over 30 years, some were just a few months away from retirement,” says Moist. “Is this is how decades of dedicated service are rewarded? BCE should be ashamed.”
Over the last three years BCE has eliminated close to 700 clerical jobs in Ottawa, many of the positions being outsourced outside of Canada. Since 2009, BCE profits have risen 25 percent to over $836 million in the last fiscal year.
“The layoff of these workers is a far too common example of how the ‘trickle-down’ thinking of the Harper Conservatives’ is failing Canadian workers,” says Moist. “The evidence is clear; corporate tax cuts are not creating jobs or investments, and they are not helping Canadian recover from the global recession.”
Moist is calling on all the federal parties to clearly declare their plans for creating jobs and protecting Canadian workers.
“Our next federal government needs an economic plan that puts the needs of Canadians ahead of corporate interests,” says Moist.
CUPE members and staff are being asked to show their support for CEP local 6004 at an information rally April 1, 2011, outside the BCE Ottawa office, 160 Elgin Ave., Noon to 1 p.m.
For more information:
Greg Taylor, CUPE Media Relations – (613) 818-0067