Kingston: Kingston & District Labour Council is calling on all affiliates in the Kingston region to join the rally in support of the Kingston workers, members of the Communications Energy, and Paperworkers Union (CEP) Local 31. These Bell Canada workers will be losing promised jobs at the end of this month. The Rally will be held on Friday January 18th from noon to 1:00 PM in front of 450 Princess Street, Kingston.

The Kingston Operator Services (Bell) office is scheduled to close January 31st, 2002. In 1999, Bell made a commitment to open Nordia in Kingston coincident with the OS office closure, but has since reneged on that commitment, leaving these mostly women workers without jobs.

"The treatment of these Kingston workers is a dreadful example of corporate gluttony and disregard for the operators in the name of profit." Said Peter Boyle , president of the Kingston & District Labour Council. " We will be walking in solidarity with the CEP members to support them in their fight against the shameful decision of their employer." Boyle is encouraging the community to get involved and become aware of the issues and the unfairness of the situation.

In the name of greed, Operators have been subjected to deplorable treatment by this wealthy corporation (reported net earnings of $1.6 billion for first three quarters of 2001) who not only have chosen to erode operators jobs, but have continued to refuse to implement Pay Equity increases owed to these workers, who are often single Income, one parent families.