(Montreal) Bell office workers in Quebec and Ontario have a new collective agreement. It was approved on Thursday, announces their union, Unifor.
Posted at 10:46 a.m.
An unlimited strike mandate was voted in June, a first according to Unifor, which represents some 4,200 office and auxiliary workers at the telecommunications giant.
The union and the employer finally reached a tentative agreement in early August.
A salary increase of 3.25% retroactive to 1er December 2021 is provided for in the new agreement. Then, salaries will increase by 2.5% per year until 2025.
In addition, temporary employees will be able to access permanent status after 24 months in the company, instead of 36 previously. Over 350 part-time employees are transitioning to full-time status.
Bell will also have to hire 200 new people, according to the agreement.
A racial justice worker is also provided for each province, which corresponds to 400 hours paid by the employer.
“Our telecommunications members do work that is essential to the functioning of our society. This has been proven time and time again throughout the pandemic. They deserve good wages, job security and decent working conditions, which includes the right to work from home,” said Lana Payne, National President of Unifor, in a statement.
Bell’s clerical and support workers include billing and information workers, for example.
The new agreement begins on 1er December 2021 and will end on November 30, 2025.