Labour Negotiations at Bell Canada - Tentative Contract Accepted by Clerical & Associated Employees

OTTAWA, June 28, 2013 /CNW/ - The Clerical & Associated employees of Bell Canada, members of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers (CEP) Union of Canada have approved a new 4.5 year collective agreement by a majority vote of 53.5%.  Ballots were counted this morning at CEP national headquarters in Ottawa following membership ratification meetings across Ontario and Quebec during the month of June.

The union bargaining team had recommended acceptance of the agreement.

"Part of our mandate was to fix problems that the employer had refused to consider in the past," commented CEP National Representative Olivier Carrière, chief spokesperson for the union bargaining team. "We achieved our bargaining goals in that respect. However the close result reminds us that the previous two rounds of bargaining left the employees with a bad taste in their mouths. Despite that, we made gains in this contract."

Among other highlights of the agreement included:

Wage increases of 8.25% over 4.5 years (1.5%, 1.75%, 2%, 2%, and 1% for the last 6 months);

• Full time jobs for at least 100 part time workers;
• Improving the job transfer process;
• Protections for an improved work / life balance;
• Wage protections in the event of changes in pay grade;
• And many other improvements.

The union committee members saw a more constructive and respectful approach from the company in this round of negotiations.  "Unlike our previous negotiations, the company showed real intent to deal with some of the problems that have persisted for too long, " commented Mr. Carrière.

Bargaining had begun in April, as the previous contract expired May 31, 2013. CEP represents approximately 6,000 Clerical and Associated employees at Bell in Ontario and Quebec.

SOURCE: COMMUNICATIONS, ENERGY AND PAPERWORKERS UNION OF CANADA

For further information please contact National Representative Howard Law [phone].