Layoffs Averted for Members of TEAM/IFPTE Local 161

Members of TEAM/IFPTE Local 161 can breathe a sigh of relief, with Bell Canada announcing this week that its plans to eliminate 46 more jobs from the bargaining unit have been cancelled. 

Bell did not provide a reason to the union for cancelling the downsizing, nor did it confirm whether more job cuts are planned for later this year, although some TEAM members fear that may be the case. But for now, at least, layoffs have been averted. 

Since Bell took over MTS in 2017, more than 60% of TEAM-represented jobs have been eliminated, with membership dropping from nearly 900 to about 350. TEAM and the IFPTE will continue to fight for our members’ jobs and press elected officials and stakeholders about the ongoing loss of local telecom work and the long-term impact on Manitoba’s telecommunications workforce.