There are growing concerns over the decision by Bell Aliant to contract out workers from India.
David Gates is the Chair for Unifor Atlantic – the union that represents workers.
Gates says they were reassured that jobs would be protected.
“Quite obviously it is to save money but the question is does it really save them that much? And as a Canadian corporation, should they be allowed to do this?”
Gates says the union was told there would only be 15 to 18 jobs contracted out but yet he says roughly 41 to 44 people in India are being trained.
So he questions, why so many?
Contracted out work could affect employees at the four assignment centres in the region, including one in Moncton.
Meantime, Bell Aliant spokesperson Jennifer MacIssac says the company continues to hire new unionized team members across the region.
In a statement, she says Bell Aliant employs outside suppliers for support but the vast majority of such work is performed here and across Canada.
MacIssac states that Bell Aliant has approximately 2500 unionized employees across Atlantic Canada.
