Bell Canada has once again announced job reductions that will impact the TEAM membership. As part of a broader workforce reduction announced last week of 1,200 unionized job cuts across the country, yesterday, Bell released an enhanced voluntary termination package/VRTIP targeting between 68 and 71 TEAM positions for elimination. We understand about 100 unionized jobs in total will be cut from Manitoba during this round of downsizing. Once again, it appears that TEAM members bear the brunt of reductions from the Manitoba workforce.
We understand that the news of so many more jobs to be eliminated from TEAM and from Manitoba is deeply concerning and want to assure you that we are actively engaging with Bell to minimize the negative impact on TEAM members and to ensure that those affected receive the best possible support and options available.
One-Time Enhanced Incentive Package
Bell has introduced a one-time only enhanced voluntary departure incentive in this round of reductions. The enhanced departure incentive is designed to encourage voluntary departures, particularly among long-service employees who are retirement-eligible. In a departure from standard practice, Bell has distributed the package to all TEAM members, rather than limiting distribution to employees in the directly affected VP groups. This approach is intended to increase the number of volunteers, potentially increasing redeployment opportunities and reducing the number of involuntary layoffs.
Although requested multiple times, we have yet to receive a list of incumbents of the targeted/specified positions from Bell. Once we have this information, we will be able to assist members in confirming whether they are in a position targeted for reduction, as we understand that unlike in previous rounds, Bell has not notified all people who are in targeted jobs, this time. In the meantime, for those that are unsure of their status, we encourage you to contact Ask HR or your immediate leader/supervisor to request confirmation.
We strongly encourage any member considering this package to carefully review and consider all of the details and implications, including those contained in Bell’s FAQ document, before deciding to apply. Once submitted, your application is irrevocable. If you have questions or are unsure whether the package is in your best interest, we urge you to seek guidance from a member of TEAM’s office staff to discuss your options, as well as a trusted personal financial advisor (especially for members who are eligible to retire).
Important Information about this enhanced VRTIP
- Bell has moved the application process for active members to its online portal, this includes access to the package details, list of positions targeted for reduction, an FAQ document, as well as individualized payout estimates for TEAM members.
- To access this information, you must log into the online portal. To get to the portal login page, you must click the navy blue “Apply to VSP” button that appears at the bottom of the “How to sign in” section of the General VSP/VRTIP information that all members received yesterday.
- Use your usual Bell login credentials. NOTE: by accessing this information, you are in no way applying for the VSP/VRTIP package.
- For members who continue to have difficulty accessing the package details online, please contact Bell’s Ask HR or the TEAM office.
- Once logged into the portal, you will see links to the program documents mentioned above, and to a video about the $16K retirement benefit credit available to members 55 yrs of age and older, as well as an estimate of your individualized payout amount available under this enhanced VRTIP.
- The amount shown should be based on the available payout option that is most financially beneficial to you, which will basically be the enhanced incentive amounts, if applicable, or the existing VRTIP payout amounts usually applicable to your Category (or in some cases, a combination of both). However, a breakdown of the payout amount calculations is not provided. If you have questions about how your payout estimate has been calculated, please contact Ask HR or the TEAM office for assistance in confirming.
- This enhanced VRTIP includes a provision allowing for some of the Termination Allowance/payout to be paid as salary continuance. According to Bell, salary continuance will come into effect in two situations: 1) For members who are currently 54 years of age and will be turning 55 in 2025 – so that they may take advantage of the $16K in retirement benefit plan credits that are available to people 55 yrs of age or older, if they apply and are approved for the VRTIP, by default Bell will arrange for the portion of time from their assigned Departure Date to the date of their 55th birthday to be paid as salary continuance rather than as part of the Termination Allowance lump sum payment. We understand that members in this situation who do not want the retirement benefit credit and associated salary continuance provisions would need to advise Bell – Question #10 under the General Questions and Answer section of the FAQ doc speaks further to this situation, and 2) Bell has indicated that it may encounter administrative challenges in processing such a large number of Termination Allowance lump sum payments at one time, as such, in some case where the payment will be delayed, Bell may opt to pay a small portion of the Termination Allowance as salary continuance to mitigate the impact of the delay to the employee.
- According to Bell’s FAQ document, question #2 under the TEAM section, people who are in targeted positions and want to remain employed with Bell are required to submit a Lateral Transfer request via Bell’s online process (a link to the 2025 TEAM Lateral and Acting List is provided in the FAQ document). We understand that employees in targeted positions who may be vulnerable for layoff will also be asked to provide their resumes to Bell to aid in redeployment efforts.
Next Steps and Support
TEAM is committed to supporting our members throughout this process. We will be:
- Providing one-on-one support for members evaluating the package and their options.
- Seeking additional clarity from Bell on some aspects of the program communicated in the FAQ document, including around notice of departure dates, how Bell factors net credited service (NCS) into its application approval and departure processes, and payment for unused paid time off.
- Continuing discussions with Bell to advocate for fair treatment and transparency throughout the process.
- Tracking the progress of the VRTIP application process; knowing the number and location of VRTIP applicants will assist TEAM in any discussions we may have with Bell regarding redeployments and saving someone from being laid off. We are asking for your help in tracking and monitoring the progress of the voluntary departure program:
- Members in targeted positions: If you are in a targeted position, please click here and provide your name, position title, and if you intend to apply for the VRTIP or not, or if you are currently undecided.
- Members not in targeted positions: If you are not in a targeted position, but intend to apply for the VRTIP, please click here and provide your name, position title, and work group/area, including VP, if known.
We understand that this is a difficult and uncertain time for many members, and we encourage you to reach out for support (EFAP is also available, contact info is provided in Bell’s FAQ document). We also recognize and acknowledge the unique opportunity this enhanced voluntary incentive provides to long-term, retirement eligible members (and members with less than four years of service) to depart the company with a more favourable voluntary financial incentive than usual.
While we are grateful that TEAM members leaving as a result of these continual downsizings have the benefit of doing so and receiving a departure or severance payment, TEAM remains gravely concerned about the impacts of Bell’s constant rounds of job reductions on remaining TEAM members, the future of highly skilled, well-paid telecommunications work in Manitoba, and our local economy. We will continue to promote our campaign to keep telco jobs in Manitoba and TEAM and to press our elected officials to take actions to safeguard jobs for Manitoban and Canadian telco workers.
If you have any questions or require assistance, please contact the TEAM office (204-984-9470).