Bell divests in Canada to buy up American fibre optics network

TORONTO, Nov. 6, 2024 /CNW/ - The union representing Bell workers questions the decision by Bell Canada Enterprises Inc. (BCE), to acquire American company Ziply Fiber following a year of devastating cuts in Canada.

"With the announcement of this purchase, Bell sent a message to Canadian customers and employees. The market that built this company is no longer a priority. Bell has spent the past year divesting from Canadian sports, cutting Canadian telecom jobs and hollowing out Canadian newsrooms to drum up the cash for this American acquisition," said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

The union representing Bell workers questions the decision by Bell Canada Enterprises Inc. (BCE), to acquire American company Ziply Fiber following a year of devastating cuts in Canada. (CNW Group/Unifor)

In an internal memo to Bell workers on November 4, the company shared that, "Bell and Ziply Fiber are a great fit. We share a similar culture, vision and long-term strategy… Ziply Fiber also shares our critical commitment to putting the customer first in everything we do."

"On the same day that the CBC shares the desperate complaints from Bell customers about underhanded fee increases, Bell claims to prioritize its customers? The company may not be, but Unifor members at Bell are committed to providing excellent services and growing with the company. We need Bell to include us in its vision for the future to do so," said Unifor Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier.

"Based on Bell's behaviour in Canada, I have a warning for workers at Ziply; when the dust settles from this deal, watch out for Bell's tendency to slash jobs," said Unifor National Secretary Treasurer. Len Poirier.

In early 2024 Unifor launched the Shame on Bell campaign to call on the company to stop its contracting out and offshoring of telecom jobs, stop slashing Canadian newsrooms and reduce dividend payouts to reinvest in employee wellbeing, infrastructure, and job security. 

Unifor is the largest private sector union in Quebec and Canada, representing more than 320,000 members in all sectors of the economy. Unifor fights for the rights of all workers. It also fights for equality and social justice at home and abroad and aspires to bring about progressive change for a better future. In Quebec, Unifor represents nearly 55,000 members and is affiliated to Quebec's largest central labour body, the Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec (FTQ).

SOURCE Unifor

For media inquiries in English please contact Unifor Communications Representative Jenny Yuen at [email protected] or on cell at 416-938-6157; For media inquiries in French, contact: Unifor Quebec Communications Representative Véronique Figliuzzi at [email protected].