We are pleased to report that our Negotiating Committee has reached a tentative agreement with Bell to renew our Collective Agreement. It was a challenging round of negotiations, with both parties making significant movement on their respective proposals to reach this deal.
Key aspects of the tentative agreement:
- Three-year agreement, to February 19, 2025.
- Compensation increases:
- February 20, 2022: 2.0% (retroactive to February, including overtime), plus a 1% pensionable lump sum.
- February 20, 2023: 2.0%, plus Option #2 of the medical and dental benefits will be fully paid by Bell*
- February 20, 2024: 2.0%, plus benefit coverage as above*
*Starting January 1, 2023, the Omniflex flexdollar allocation for TEAM members will be increased, resulting in Option #2 medical and dental benefits being paid in full by the Employer across all levels, i.e., single, single-parent/couple, and family; Option #3 fully covered for single level coverage; and, significantly reduced premiums for Option #3 coverage at the single-parent/couple and family levels (members who had previously opted out of Omniflex plan will have opportunity to enroll for 2023).
- An agreement that provides increased access to job opportunities within Bell for TEAM members, while maintaining many of the rights and protections that come with being a member of a union, and for those in our Defined Benefit Pension plan, the ability to remain in the plan.
- Increased VRTIP payout amounts (same as the enhanced EVRTIP amounts, but without the need for negotiations and agreement to take place before being presented to members).
- Increase of the evening and night differential from $1.00 to $1.50 per hour (Article 20.02).
- Extended window to use surplus vacation days; for members with remaining surplus vacation days, 50% of the remaining days can be carried over for use up to December 31, 2023 (50% must be taken before end of 2022).
- Maintenance of existing PLD, vacation, and sick leave provisions.
The Negotiating Committee is recommending acceptance of this Agreement. For expediency, online information meetings are being scheduled for October 26 and 27 over the lunch hour; members will have the opportunity to register to attend starting next week. Members unable to attend the meetings are invited to contact the TEAM office after the October 27 meeting for clarification on any part of the agreement. The ratification vote will be concluded no later than November 2, 2022.
Thank you for your ongoing patience and support!