WINDSOR – After an organizing campaign spearheaded by strong employee leadership, Freedom Mobile workers in Windsor have voted to join the United Steelworkers (USW).
Freedom Mobile, previously known as Wind Mobile, was purchased in 2015 by Shaw Communications for $1.6 billion. The 187 employees in Windsor work in Freedom’s customer care call centre.
The vote was conducted on Jan. 19 and Jan. 21 by the Canada Industrial Relations Board.
Next steps will include a survey of all employees to gather input on collective bargaining priorities and the election of a negotiating committee in preparation for bargaining.
“We welcome these new members into our union,” said Ken Neumann, USW National Director. “Union membership and collective bargaining give people a real voice in the decisions that affect them in our changing economy.”
“We are excited to work with these new members as Freedom Mobile grows and expands,” said Lee Riggs, President of the Telecommunications Workers Union, United Steelworkers National Local 1944, which represents more than 12,000 workers in the telecommunications sector across Canada.
“Employees in telecom know that union membership is an important foundation in such a rapidly evolving industry. We are honoured that Freedom Mobile employees have chosen the USW,” Riggs said.
Ken Neumann, USW National Director, 416-544-5951
Lee Riggs, President, USW Local 1944, 604-437-8601, lee.riggs@usw1944.ca
Brad James, USW Organizing, 416-524-5118, bjames@usw.ca
Bob Gallagher, USW Communications, 416-544-5966, 416-434 2221, bgallagher@usw.ca
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