Bell Canada’s announcement of its plan to sell-off its telephone operations services to an American corporation, dropping 2500 unionized workers, and concentrating 55 work centres in Quebec and Ontario into five, has sent trade unionists and concerned consumers into a fightback mode.

"Bell Canada’s plan to sell these services is an outrage and a prime example of corporate greed and irresponsibility," says CLC President Bob White.

"These workers are breadwinners of families, they are among Bell’s lowest paid employees, and the vast majority of them are women. These workers provide the Canadian public with front-line, quality service. Yet, Bell Canada is willing to destroy the livelihoods of 2500 operators and erode the economic base of dozens of communities with this sellout," adds White.

Bell employees who manage to move to keep a job can expect their wages to be cut by 40 per cent. On the other hand, Bell Canada made close to $900 million in profits last year. Its top CEO was paid $17 million.

"Yet, Bell wants to increase its profits by destroying thousands of Canadian jobs, avoiding a legitimate pay equity complaint, as well as avoiding its obligation to provide federally-regulated quality service," emphasizes White.

The 2500 Bell Canada operators who are affected by this sell-off are members of the Communication, Energy and Paperworkers Union (CEP).

"Plans for a full-scale fightback are under way," says Fred Pomeroy, President of the CEP.

"We will fight this move in every way possible including through the legal process, collective bargaining, the political process, the workplace and in the streets. If Bell is allowed to do this it could have a snowball effect across the country."

While Bell claims that the operator services division is not financially competitive, CEP studies show the division is profitable. Demonstrations to oppose Bell’s plan took place in Ottawa, and others are being planned. Calls from trade unionists and the general public are flooding in to Bell Canada in protest of the sell-off.

CLC President Bob White is calling on both Prime Minister Chretien and Industry Minister Manley to demand that Bell Canada cancel this decision immediately.