Bell settles 14-year-long pay equity battle

Operators could receive between $25,000 and $30,000 each

A deal to settle the 14-year-long pay equity dispute involving nearly 5,000 Bell Canada telephone operators, most of them women, is awaiting ratification by current and former workers.

The deal would see the former and current workers, who are now 35 to 70 years old, receive $25,000 to $30,000 each.

The $104-million settlement "will bring closure to one of the longest fought struggles in the labour movement," said Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada president Brian Payne in a statement.

The deal is nearly double the $60 million offered by Bell almost seven years ago, but the company is pleased with the outcome.

"The settlement is fair and reflects Bell's commitment to an equitable and diversified workplace," said BCE Inc. president and CEO Michael Sabia in a statement. "We look forward to its ratification and to putting this matter behind us."

The union initially filed the pay-equity claim with the Canadian Human Rights Commission on behalf of about 4,665 operators, and about 100 dining service and house service workers. The case was referred to a tribunal, but the case has been the subject of extensive legal challenges, including one by Bell Canada that went to the Supreme Court.

Last year both parties agreed to mediation at the behest of the Commission and reached the settlement, which covers union members who worked at least six months in female-dominated jobs between 1993 and 1999.

When the claim was filed, there were almost 5,000 operators, but outsourcing and other cuts have left only about 300 operators in Ontario and Quebec.

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