The union that represents workers at Windsor's Freedom Mobile Call Centre says the centre is closing, putting 130 people out of work.
The United Steelworkers Local 1944 says Shaw Communication is moving its call centre operations to Victoria, B.C.
There are three Freedom Mobile locations in Windsor, including one at Devonshire Mall.
It calls the move an attack on the workers after they organized in late 2016 and early last year. The union complains in a release the company took an aggressive stance during bargaining, threatening to lock out bargaining unit members last September. The workers ratified their first collective agreement later that month.
"Freedom and Shaw are demonstrating that they do not properly value either their loyal employees or the Windsor community," says United Steelworkers President Lee Riggs.
The release continues, "while Shaw's executives are well-known for their lavish compensation packages, many of Freedom's Windsor call centre employees earn wages that are near the poverty line."
According to the union, the workers make $13.68/hr.
"Freedom is building a bad name for itself in the eyes of hard-working people in Canada. Profit is being chosen over fair treatment for employees," says Riggs.
Shaw Communications has announced layoffs in three waves starting Thursday, February 21 and March 28.