About 400 Bell Canada workers in Ontario will be cut or moved, according to their union, including 60 layoffs in Ottawa.

A statement on the website for the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada (CEP) called the changes "another callous move by an employer that treats its workforce like pawns on a chess board."

The message said 60 workers in Ottawa learned they would be laid off Tuesday. Another 300 clerical workers and 23 technicians in Scarborough and downtown Toronto will be relocated to Bell's Mississauga campus.

"Our members in Ottawa, many with years of loyal service, feel like they’re being dumped on a trash heap," said Barb Dolan, the union's vice-president in Ontario.

"In Toronto, our members are on pins and needles, as hundreds of families will be uprooted to follow jobs that may be two hours away. Many will be unable to make that kind of commute."

In a statement, Bell Canada assured "none of the changes will result in any outsourcing or offshoring of work," despite claims made by the CEP.

Bell also said any worker who can't find another job within Bell will receive severance.