Union accuses Bell of violating employees' right to unionize

TORONTO, Sept. 14 /CNW/ - The Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada (CEP) has filed an unfair labour practice complaint on behalf of employees at Bell Mobility, alleging the company is "unlawfully interfering and curtailing the right of employees to engage in collective bargaining". The union has accused Bell Mobility of intimidating and threatening employees who are exercising their right to join and support the union.

CEP began an organizing drive at the Bell Mobility customer service centre in Mississauga in June 2010. More than 1,500 workers are employed at the call centre located at Creekbank Road in Mississauga.

CEP alleges that a number of Bell employees have been pressured by members of Bell Mobility's Leadership Development Program (LDP) into signing forms revoking their membership in the union by claiming that employees will lose their jobs or be "locked out" if a union comes in.

According to the complaint, filed Sept. 13, these leadership development supervisors are being directed by Bell Mobility management to engage in anti-union activities openly in the workplace.

The complaint alleges that managers are circulating an article about Bell Aliant closing three call centres in Eastern Canada in an attempt to convince workers that there is a link between the closure of call centres and a loss of jobs with unionization.

CEP also alleges that Bell Mobility management has prevented union supporters from distributing material to employees while allowing managers and anti-union employees to operate freely in the workplace, including talking to employees and pressuring them to sign union revocation forms at their desks and at managers cubicles and during work time.

According to CEP, Bell Mobility's conduct is a violation of section 97 of the Canada Labour Code, which protects employees' rights to organize a union in their workplace.

CEP is committed to protecting workers' rights and seeking justice and the right to freely choose to unionize for Bell Mobility employees.

Click here http://www.cep.ca/pub/unfair-labour-practice-complaint to read the Unfair Labour Practices Complaint

For further information:

Alan Tate, CEP Director, Special Projects - 613 295-9535