Nortel Pensioners Rally at Queen's Park to Demand Action

TORONTO , Oct. 5 /CNW/ - Pensioners, long-term disabled and former Nortel employees are declaring they want justice and action now from the Government of Ontario and the federal government, to overhaul the country's unfair bankruptcy system.

On October 7 , they will converge on Queen's Park from communities across Ontario to join in a mass protest rally at 12:00 noon. At issue is the loss of pensions, severance pay and benefits as Canadian companies, like Nortel, go into bankruptcy. Their message is that workers who helped build successful companies are being discriminated against, cheated out of what is owed them and now face financial ruin.

"This travesty is being ignored by the Government of Ontario and the federal government," said CAW President Ken Lewenza . "Governments in other countries where Nortel operated are taking action to secure pensions and not punish retirees for their years of service."

Speaking at the rally will be: Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath , CAW National President Ken Lewenza , former Nortel President Bob Ferchant , President of Nortel Retirees and former employees Protection Canada (NRPC) Don Sproule , former CAW Secretary-Treasurer Bob Nickerson and Mary Jane McKinnon, CAW member and former Nortel worker in Belleville.

The CAW once represented several thousand Nortel workers in Ontario. In its prime Nortel had manufacturing plants in Belleville, Kingston, London , and the Toronto area. Today only the Belleville location remains with a few CAW members. And they have an uncertain future since Nortel has just sold their operation to a US company.

The NRPC is a volunteer organization whose goal is to protect the interests of all Nortel pensioners and former employees. The NRPC has been actively campaigning on their behalf in the courts, political arenas and media since Nortel entered bankruptcy protection in January 2009 .

For further information: Bob Nickerson, former CAW Secretary Treasurer, [phone]; Don Sproule, NRPC, [phone], [email protected]; Mike Campbell, NRPC (GTA Region), [phone], [email protected]; Darwin Hoskin, NRPC(Belleville Region), [phone], [email protected]; Chuck McEwan, NRPC(London Region), [phone], [email protected]; Tony Marsh, NRPC Media Relations, [phone]; Shannon Devine, CAW Communications, [phone]