Unifor seeks to represent Nordia employees in Moncton
Union represents Bell workers and Nordia is a Bell subsidiary, argues Maritime representative
The union that represents Bell Aliant and Bell Canada workers in Moncton has applied to the Canada Industrial Relations Board to represent Nordia call centre employees as well.
"What we're saying is that due to the fact that these people, or workers, are doing 100 per cent exclusive Bell work, that … these should be our members," said Unifor's Maritime representative, Patrick Murray.
He was greeting Nordia employees outside the call centre on Thursday morning, handing out information.
Murray contends Bell Canada is outsourcing, using the Nordia employees to undercut wages and benefits of its Bell Canada and Bell Aliant employees.
"These workers are severely underpaid in regards to their wages," making about half of what Bell workers make, he said.
"The benefit levels are not the same as the members, which Unifor represents at Mapleton, and what we're hoping for with these information sessions, in regards to applying for a common employer status, is that we're successful."
Murray says the Canada Industrial Relations code allows a union to represent workers doing the same job for the same employer.
No one from Bell was immediately available for an interview.