Canadian Union of Postal Workers and Union Calling Inc. pay a total of $115,000 in penalties for violating Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules

Canadian Union of Postal Workers and Union Calling Inc. pay a total of $115,000 in penalties for violating Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules


OTTAWA AND GATINEAU, QC, Oct. 15, 2013 /CNW/ - Today, the Canadian
Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced
that the Canadian Union of Postal Workers has paid a penalty of $50,000
and Union Calling Inc. has paid a penalty of $65,000 as part of
settlements over violations to the Unsolicited Telecommunications
Rules.



The CRTC's investigation found that the Canadian Union of Postal Workers
failed to identify itself or provide its contact information in
robocalls made to residents of Ontario. The union hired a company,
Union Calling Inc., to deliver pre-recorded messages between May 21 and
June 26, 2013 regarding the possible closure or downsizing of post
offices in certain communities.



"These latest settlements involve taking action against both the
companies who make unsolicited telecommunications and clients of
companies who make unsolicited telecommunications as they are both
required to comply with the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules.
Canadians expect to know who is calling them, even when listening to a
pre-recorded message. This is an important element of the rules
governing the use of robocalls. We appreciate the cooperation we
received from the Canadian Union of Postal Workers and Union Calling
Inc. during our investigation into this matter," said Andrea Rosen, the
CRTC's Chief Compliance and Enforcement Officer.



In addition to paying monetary penalties, parties have agreed to cease
violating the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules and implement
comprehensive compliance programs that will include:



-- an acknowledgement of all applicable rules and a commitment to
comply fully with them
-- the appointment of a compliance officer to ensure ongoing
adherence with the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules
-- an education and training program for employees
-- appropriate record keeping, and
-- promotion of better awareness of the Unsolicited
Telecommunications Rules.



About robocalls

Automatic Dialing-Announcing Devices (ADADs) are used to dial telephone
numbers and automatically deliver a pre-recorded message. A person or
company using an ADAD to make unsolicited telecommunications where
there is no attempt to solicit, shall comply with certain conditions
including:



-- such telecommunications are restricted to certain times during
the day
-- such telecommunications shall begin with a clear message
identifying the person on whose behalf the telecommunication is
made. This identification message shall include a mailing
address and a local or toll-free telecommunications number at
which a representative of the originator of the message can be
reached.
-- such telecommunications shall display the originating
telecommunications number or an alternate telecommunications
number where the telecommunication originator can be reached
(except where the number display is unavailable for technical
reasons).



About the CRTC's enforcement measures

The CRTC enforces the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules in order to reduce unwanted calls to Canadians. Under its enforcement
process, the CRTC can discuss corrective actions with individuals,
firms or organizations engaged in telemarketing, which may lead to a
settlement that includes a monetary penalty and other corrective
measures. The CRTC can also issue warnings and citations, conduct
inspections and issue notices of violation.



To date, the CRTC's efforts have yielded over $3.4 million in penalties,
which are remitted to the Receiver General for Canada, and $741,000 in
payments to post-secondary institutions.


The CRTC

The CRTC is an independent public authority that regulates and
supervises broadcasting and telecommunications in Canada.


Notice of violation to Canadian Union of Postal Workers
Notice of violation to Union Calling Inc.

SOURCE Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission

Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission

CONTACT: Follow us on Twitter @CRTCeng Media Relations:
communications@crtc.gc.ca
Tel: 819-997-9403, Fax: 819-997-4245 General Inquiries:
Tel: 819-997-0313, TDD: 819-994-0423, Fax: 819-994-0218
Toll-free # 1-877-249-CRTC (2782)
TDD - Toll-free # 1-877-909-CRTC (2782)
Ask a question or make a complaint These documents are available in alternative format upon request


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