Negotiations Update: With meeting dates for conciliation yet to be scheduled, Bell notified TEAM that “the Company shall terminate the current collective agreement in 90 days (August 23, 2022) and may unilaterally change the terms and conditions of your member’s employment” if a revised collective agreement (CA) is not reached through the conciliation process. The Company has resorted to this pressure tactic before with TEAM – we have faced it for at least the past five rounds. We are nonetheless disappointed that yet again, the Company seems to be prioritizing expediency over quality when it comes to negotiating a renewed agreement.
As we have now been contacted by the conciliator and meeting dates have since been scheduled, we are able to add some dates to the conciliation/mediation timeline and the potential termination of our CA (keeping in mind the conciliation/mediation time-periods may be extended by mutual agreement):
- May 25 to July 24, 2022: The conciliator has 60 days after being appointed, unless extended by mutual agreement, to meet with the parties to review the outstanding issues and attempt to bring the parties closer together.
- July 25 to August 15, 2022: Should the parties fail to reach an agreement through conciliation, a 21-day cooling off period begins, during which time the Minister can appoint a mediator. At the end of the cooling off period the parties are in a legal strike/lockout position.
- August 16 to August 18, 2022: 72-hour notice is required prior to the commencement of a strike or lockout. A union must have taken a strike vote before initiating any strike action.
- August 23, 2022: Bell can terminate the CA and unilaterally impose changes to the terms and conditions of TEAM members’ employment.
TEAM’s Negotiating Committee is looking forward to getting back to the table in July to discuss monetary proposals as well as outstanding non-monetary issues, and we remain hopeful that with the aid of the conciliator, we will be able to achieve a fair deal and an improved collective agreement for the membership. Further updates will be provided as we move along with the process. Your continued support is much appreciated!
Campaign to Keep TEAM/Telco Jobs in Manitoba: At the end of 2021 and earlier this year, members of the TEAM Executive and Board, along with TEAM and IFPTE staff met with federal and provincial representatives across all party lines to raise awareness to the job loss that has occurred since MTS merged with Bell and to press the case for better investment in the Manitoba workforce from Bell (TEAM Memo from Dec 22, 2021). In follow-up to these meetings and helping to further our cause, the Manitoba Liberal Party raised the issue last week during Question Period at the Manitoba Legislature (starting at 1:20:50) and also in an accompanying media release. The job loss from TEAM and the other two Manitoba unions at Bell was also highlighted over the weekend in a Winnipeg Free Press article, relating to a recent surge in wireline service outages and complaints from Bell customers. TEAM, along with our international affiliate, the IFPTE, will continue to advocate for keeping skilled, well-paid telecommunications jobs in Manitoba and TEAM.
Current Downsizing and EVRTIP: Further to Bell’s May 9th announcement to implement more job reductions in Manitoba, we would like to remind members who are considering applying for the current EVRTIP package, that the deadline to apply is next week, Tuesday, June 7th, 4:00 pm. TEAM will be doing all it can to help members who do not wish to leave to remain employed, and knowing the number and location of all EVRTIP applicants may be critical in discussions around redeployments and saving someone from being laid off. To assist TEAM in tracking and monitoring the progress of this voluntary departure program, please provide the following information (if applicable and you haven’t already done so):
- 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 or have already applied for the EVRTIP or not, or are currently undecided.
- Members not in targeted positions: If you are not in a targeted position, but intend to apply or have already for the EVRTIP, please click here and provide your name, position title, and VP group.
Additionally, for members in targeted positions who are concerned they may be vulnerable to being laid off if the targets are not achieved, please click here to provide us with a copy of your resume and any additional information you believe may be helpful in averting a layoff, e.g. other positions in the Company you could perform, to assist TEAM in advocating for your continued employment should Bell decide to move to involuntary reductions once the EVRTIP closes.
204-984-9470 or 1-877-984-9470