Bell Canada Enterprises Inc. (BCE) is facing renewed criticism from Unifor following the elimination of 120 positions at Expertech, a BCE subsidiary. The job cuts, announced on Oct. 1, will impact workers across Ontario and Quebec, representing approximately 18 per cent of the unit’s 660 employees, according to the union.
Unifor, which represents the affected workers through 19 local unions, has raised concerns about the long-term implications of the cuts. The layoffs will be implemented through a Voluntary Separation Program (VSP) and Retirement Incentive Offers (RIO), Unifor confirmed.
“It’s apparent to most everyone that Bell’s leadership, including Mirko Bibic, have no plan for the future of this company except to maximize shareholder dividends at the cost of everything else,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
Unifor has been critical of Bell’s ongoing reductions, accusing the telecommunications giant of undermining job security while prioritizing profits. According to Unifor Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier, the latest announcement reflects a troubling trend within the company.
“Today’s announcement showcases again how Bell is ambling towards a death by a thousand cuts. Unifor members at Bell and its subsidiaries care about the services they provide and want to be a part of a strong future for telecommunications, but the company has no such vision,” said Cloutier.
Expertech’s employees ratified a new four-year collective agreement with Bell in June 2024, with contracts retroactive to December 1, 2023, and in place until November 2027. Despite this, the union says job security remains precarious.
“There is no reason why such a longstanding and profitable company should be unable to provide reliable, good jobs for its workers,” said Unifor National Secretary Treasurer Len Poirier. “Even in this instability, one thing is certain—Unifor members fight back.”
Unifor’s ‘Shame on Bell’ campaign, which has been ongoing for several months, aims to draw attention to the challenges faced by workers within Bell and its subsidiaries. The union argues that the company’s focus on profit margins is detrimental to both its workforce and the broader telecommunications industry in Canada.
Unifor, the largest private sector union in Canada, represents more than 320,000 members across various sectors, including nearly 55,000 members in Quebec.