I know this sounds confusing, but i want some input here.
I work for a company in canada that is used as “outsourcing” call center work for many fortune 500 level companies. The company i work for has centers in over 15 countries, including the US, Jamaica, Philippines, Egypt, Bulgaria, etc… And they are strictly anti-union. From my understanding, after hearing things from some other managers, they have been known to shutdown centers who try to unionize.
However, the program i work under (which is the company that uses us as an outsource call center) IS Unionized. They're a major US telecommunication company and only recently unionized in the past 1-2 years. Keep in mind here as well, the people working under the company directly make nearly DOUBLE what i do, for the same position, and even more so after conversion from USD to CAD.
So, the initial plan was to attempt unionization for my program specifically. seeing as we would not be in violation of the base company using us (as they are union), however the union laws are vague in canada, and i need some clarification:
- does the 40% requisite constitute the entire company needing 40% of signed cards, or seeing as each program is technically paid separate by both the company using us as outsourcing, and the company i work for itself, does the 40% constitute the program members that work under the same program as myself?
- What are the protections for persons wishing to form a union in Canada (Specifically Ontario)? I've been at my job for 4 months this coming November 15, and while i have already been promoted to a Escalations Supervisor, and have done the jobs of 3-4 people at once, i'm still getting paid the same amount as regular agents, and making less than work from home agents that i directly support (Although work from home is shutting down end of month). I understand if this info is not readily known, but i have searched with multiple unions and they do not give me any clear information