BCGEU starts new campaign to organize Surrey call centre

Labour relations board found previous company guilty of violating the law

Surrey - The British Columbia Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) has launched a campaign to organize 1,300 workers at the NCO call centre in Surrey.

The goal is to "help workers win dignity and respect on the job, better pay, and improved working conditions," says the BCGEU. "Chances are that you — or someone you know—knows one of the 1,300 or so call centre workers."

Noting that every contact is important in an organizing drive, the union is asking members to canvass your family and friends to identify people BCGEU organizers should be speaking with.

"The NCO drive is particularly challenging," it says.

"Two years ago, the previous call centre owners resorted to extreme U.S.-style anti-union tactics to thwart an earlier BCGEU bid to improve pay and conditions for call centre workers.

"They even forced staff to watch during work time a specially prepared high tech slide show that beamed anti-union messages on to screens set up throughout the facility."

The B.C. Labour Relations Board ruled recently that the company was guilty of violating the law, and ordered the new U.S. owners to implement a number of remedies.

"We’re back organizing to ensure that call centre workers have another chance to choose to join a union," the BCGEU says. "Despite the obstacles and the legacy of intimidation and fear from the past, hundreds of NCO workers have signed cards, and they have a good chance to win a vote."

If you know someone who works at NCO, please contact the union. Phone our NCO organizing hotline and leave a message: 1-866-999-8985. NUPGE

Web posted by NUPGE: 30 November 2005

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