Major Union Organizing Drive of BELL Professional Employees

MONTREAL, Sept. 22 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union (COPE SEPB) is launching a national union membership drive for some 8,500 professional employees at BELL CANADA. These Level C and D employees the company depicts as « management personnel » have been invited these past few days by mail and by email to join the ranks of the union.

This cross Canada campaign, the largest in the country, is the result of several months of preparation work with management employees who are dissatisfied with the way the company handles labour relations.

The lack of recognition, the protection of the purchasing power, the unilateral changes to the insurance and pension plans and favouritism are amongst the issues that motivate management personnel to join the ranks of COPE. In so doing, they will be able to unite their voices and be heard by their employer.

"Management at Bell has always played an essential role in the business. Unfortunately, Bell decision-makers have not taken into account the expertise and knowledge of these employees," said COPE SEPB National President Serge Cadieux. "

COPE SEPB is proud to be the Union chosen by Bell professionals and we will spare no efforts for a successful campaign that enables these employees to obtain the recognition, equity and respect they deserve", concluded Serge Cadieux.

About COPE SEPB

COPE SEPB is a national labour union organization made up of 2 regional Councils and 46 Local unions comprising tens of thousands of members in several provinces across Canada. Our members are mostly office employees, technical and professional employees and sales representatives both in the private and public sectors.

COPE SEPB has been established in Canada since 1933 and is affiliated to the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), the largest labour organization in Canada with approximately 3,000,000 members.

Through the years COPE SEPB has developed a solid expertise in union and professional representation of our members. Our regional Councils and Local unions offer a vast array of services including the study, safeguard and promotion of the economic, educational, cultural and social interests of our members, especially in collective bargaining activities and the enforcement of collective agreements. Regardless of the sector of activity, the dynamism and strength of our union are instrumental in making our organization a proud and militant union. For more information: www.copesepb.ca.

For further information:

In Québec:  In Ontario:  In B.C.:

Claude Paquet [phone] or Stéphane Hudon [phone] Trish Qualtrough or Liz Fong [phone] Dave McPherson [phone]