Collective Bargaining Kicks Off for Steelworkers at Freedom Mobile
WINDSOR, ON, March 21, 2017 /CNW/ - Negotiations for a first collective agreement begin tomorrow between the United Steelworkers (USW) and Freedom Mobile in Windsor.
Over 185 customer care employees at Freedom Mobile's Windsor call centre became USW members in January following a majority vote in favour of joining the union. Freedom Mobile, previously known as Wind Mobile, was purchased in 2015 by Shaw Communications for $1.6 billion.
In the last few weeks, employees have taken part in a survey on collective bargaining priorities and elected their negotiating committee.
"We look forward to this set of negotiations," said Ken Neumann, USW National Director.
"We hope for effective talks toward a fair collective agreement for these hard-working people in Windsor. We have a number of dates set aside for negotiations in March and April and we anticipate good-faith bargaining from Freedom Mobile and its parent company Shaw. We are going to work hard toward fair improvements for our members," Neumann said.
"As Freedom Mobile grows and expands, its employees deserve a fair share in the success they help create. The United Steelworkers is a growing union in the telecommunications sector and we are in full support of our new members in Windsor," said Lee Riggs, President of the Telecommunications Workers Union, USW National Local 1944, which represents more than 11,000 workers in the telecommunications sector across Canada.
SOURCE United Steelworkers (USW)
Ken Neumann, USW National Director, 416-544-5991; Lee Riggs, President, TWU, USW National Local 1944, 604-230-0553; Bryan Adamczyk, USW Staff Representative, 647-234-0466, [email protected]; Bob Gallagher, USW Communications, 416-544-5966, 416-434-2221, [email protected]
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