Media advisory - Keep telco jobs in Canada: Major rally this Friday against Verizon "takeover"

TORONTO, Aug. 26, 2013 /CNW/ - Two of Canada's largest unions are planning a rally in Toronto this Friday to protest the Harper government's decision to allow U.S. telco giant Verizon to compete in Canada's telecommunications market.

The Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union and the Canadian Auto Workers, together to become Unifor, have organized the march through downtown Toronto. "Opposition to allowing Verizon to take over our Telco industry is growing every day," says CEP President Dave Coles. "The deal will give Verizon the green light to piggyback on technology built by and for Canadians, and put thousands out of work."

"There is the falsity being circulated right now that allowing Verizon in Canada will automatically lower costs for consumers," says CAW President Ken Lewenza. "Not only will this not be the case, Canadian jobs are at stake."

WHEN:		Friday, August 30 at 12:30 p.m.
WHERE:		151 Yonge Street (corner Richmond)
WHO:		Dave Coles, CEP National President
		Ken Lewenza, CAW National President
		Marc Rousseau, CEP Local 6001, representing workers at Bell
		Michelle Arruda, President ,CEP Local 6004, representing workers at Bell
		Dylan Gadwa, CAW Local 2000, representing workers at MTS Allstream

The rally is taking place in advance of the Unifor Founding Convention which will start on Saturday, August 31 at the Metro Convention Centre, downtown Toronto.  The convention will be livestreamed at www.newunionconvention.ca.

SOURCE: COMMUNICATIONS, ENERGY AND PAPERWORKERS UNION OF CANADA

Shannon Devine, CAW Communications Director, [phone], [email protected]
Michelle Walsh, CEP Communications Director, [phone], [email protected]