By JENNIFER HAMILTON-MCCHARLES, The Nugget
Tuesday, July 8, 2014 12:22:42 EDT PM

Jobs slashed at Ontera

Ontera's workforce will be slashed by 40 positions over the next 24 months following the completion of sale to Bell Aliant in early Aug.

The workers are part of the telecommunications division of Ontario Northland and represented by USW Local 1976.

“This is devastating news for our membership as well as the region we serve. The reduction of almost 50% of our unionized workforce will impact every community where our employees live throughout North-eastern Ontario," said Ron Marleau, District 6 VP of the Steelworkers and an Ontera technician.

” The negative economic effects of 40 high-tech, well paying jobs leaving the North was totally preventable," he said. “ The Ministry should have given serious consideration to the joint business plan put forward by the union and management of Ontera, as part of the ONTC’s Labour/Management business plan requested by Premier (Kathleen) Wynne back in February.”

Marleau said it is clear to us that Minister (Michael) Gravelle was never interested in real solutions, and that the bureaucrats at MNDM had pre-determined the outcome for Ontera from the start.

“At the April 4th meeting in North Bay where Minister Gravelle announced the sale of Ontera to Bell Aliant, even after being advised by the unions that his decision would create a telecommunications monopoly in Northeastern Ontario and result in considerable job losses affecting the entire region, Gravelle told us it was his decision to make and it had been made.”

nugget.ca will update story

Jobs slashed at Ontera