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At December 31, 2003, labor contracts covered approximately five percent of our employees worldwide. At the same date, five labor contracts
covered approximately ten percent of our employees in Canada including:
At December 31, 2003, labor contracts covered approximately four percent of our employees in EMEA and all of our employees in Brazil.
These labor contracts generally have a one-year term, and primarily relate to remuneration. We have no labor contracts in the United States.
We believe our employee relations are generally positive. Employee morale continues to be an area of focus as a result of ongoing workforce
reductions associated with our restructuring activities occurring since 2001, the recent reductions resulting from our strategic plan announced
in August and September 2004, and the restatement of our financial results and related matters. Although the recruitment and retention of
technically skilled employees in recent years was highly competitive in the global networking industry, the economic conditions during the
past few years have lessened the competition for skilled employees in our industry. We do, however, believe that our ability to recruit and
retain skilled employees will continue to be critical to our future success. During 2003, approximately 1,200 regular full-time employees were
hired globally. From the beginning of 2004 until November 30, 2004, approximately 2,300 regular full-time employees were hired. See “Risk
factors/forward looking statements” in the MD&A section of this report.
Environmental matters
Our operations are subject to a wide range of environmental laws in various jurisdictions around the world. We seek to operate our business in
compliance with such laws. In Europe, we expect to become subject to new product content laws and product takeback and recycling
requirements that will require full compliance by 2006. We expect that these laws will require us to incur additional compliance costs.
Although costs relating to environmental matters have not resulted in a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial
condition and liquidity in the past, there can be no assurance that we will not be required to incur such costs in the future. We have a corporate
environmental management system standard and an environmental program to promote compliance. We also have a periodic, risk-based,
integrated environment, health and safety audit program. As part of our environmental program, we attempt to evaluate and assume
responsibility for the environmental impacts of our products throughout their life cycles. Our environmental program focuses on design for the
environment, supply chain and packaging reduction issues. We work with our suppliers and other external groups to encourage the sharing of
non-proprietary information on environmental research. For additional information on environmental matters, see “Contingencies —
Environmental matters” in note 22 of the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Financial information by operating segment and product category
For financial information by operating segment and product category, see “Segment information” in note 6 of the accompanying consolidated
financial statements and “Results of operations — continuing operations — Segment revenues” in the MD&A section of this report.
Financial information by geographic area
For financial information by geographic area, see “Segment information” in note 6 of the accompanying consolidated financial statements and
“Results of operations — continuing operations — Geographic revenues” in the MD&A section of this report.
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• one labor contract covering approximately eight percent of Canadian unionized employees which was renewed, ratified and became
effective February 26, 2003;
• one labor contract covering less than one percent of Canadian unionized employees which was renewed, ratified and became
effective August 16, 2003;
• one labor contract covering approximately ten percent of Canadian unionized employees which was renewed, ratified and became
effective June 19, 2003;
• one labor contract covering approximately 64% of Canadian unionized employees which was renewed, ratified and became
effective April 13, 2004; and
• one labor contract covering approximately 18% of Canadian unionized employees which expires in 2008.