TORONTO – The United Steelworkers (USW) and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) are working together to build a stronger voice for Cogeco technicians and customer support workers across Ontario.
Cogeco technicians install, repair and maintain cable and Internet services for customers and are taking part in a campaign to join the USW. Cogeco’s customer support and administrative staff in its contact centre operations are engaged in a campaign to join CUPE. Cogeco workers are pleased to see USW and CUPE move forward in a cooperative and coordinated way as they exercise their right to form a union.
Among the contact centre workers’ top concerns are improving shift scheduling, fairer performance targets, disciplinary measures and personal break times and responding to health and safety concerns.
For technicians in the field across Ontario, key issues at work include improving consistency in rules and policies, building more respect for hard-earned skills, getting more balance in work measurement systems and responding to on-the-job safety concerns.
“If private companies focus solely on their bottom lines, the working conditions of dedicated employees can suffer,” said CUPE National President Mark Hancock. “Cogeco workers are seeking a voice in the decisions that affect them on the job. They deserve more for their contributions to the company’s success.”
“By working together on this large campaign, our two unions can accomplish more,” said USW National Director Ken Neumann. “Organizing and empowering employees, and winning better working and earning conditions for our members are our highest priorities.”
CUPE currently represents nearly 1,000 Cogeco employees in Ontario and Quebec among its 8,000 telecommunications members. The USW represents 15,000 telecommunications employees across Canada at companies like Telus, Shaw and Nordia.
Brad James, USW Organizing Department, 416-524-5118, bjames@usw.ca
Emily Niles, CUPE Organizer, 613-263-3628, cogeco@joincupe.org
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