Freedom Mobile to Relocate Windsor Call Centre to Victoria Despite Union Protest

Shaw plans to move its call centre from Windsor, Ontario, across the country to Victoria, B.C. According to the United Steelworkers (USW) union representing 130 employees, the move is being called an “unjustified attack on employees,” reads a press release.

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Lee Riggs, President TWU, USW National Local 1944, said in a statement “Freedom and Shaw are demonstrating that they do not properly value either their loyal employees or the Windsor community.”

According to USW:

Freedom and Shaw took an antagonistic stance against the organizing efforts of employees to join the union in late 2016 and early 2017. After the successful vote in favour of joining in January 2017, Shaw and Freedom continued that aggressive stance during bargaining, threatening to lock out all bargaining unit members in September 2017. Employees narrowly voted to ratify a first collective agreement on Sept. 20, 2017.

According to the union, three waves of layoffs will take place on January 17, February 21 and March 28.

“With over 1.18 million subscribers as of January 2018, Freedom Mobile contributes greatly to Shaw’s profits. Shaw generously rewards its shareholders and executives. To take this action now against employees in Windsor is outrageous,” said Ken Neumann, USW National Director for Canada.

The Freedom Mobile call centre is currently located at 525 Windsor Ave. There is no word on where the new call centre will be located in Victoria, B.C.

Four months ago, Freedom Mobile threatened to lockout employees in Windsor. A lengthy discussion regarding the move can be read here on Reddit.

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