Creating our Bargaining Committee - Telus

Hello All,  

Your Collective Agreement expires March 31, 2027, in 15 months, and your Local is dedicated to building bargaining power now so that we can fight off company concessions and make the kind of gains that you deserve. We need to feel secure in our jobs, with pay and benefits that respect the quality of work we do, and we need to create a Bargaining Committee that is best equipped to deliver on these demands. 

We’re beginning our preparations earlier than ever. That includes building a bargaining committee that reflects our members, while also remaining nimble, skilled, and capable of responding quickly to changing conditions at the table. 

I will be chairing the Bargaining Committee, while USW Staff Representative Jayson Little will be our lead negotiator, and Local Union Representative Steve McWhirter is appointed to provide additional professional support. Brothers Little and McWhirter have many rounds of bargaining experience behind them, including negotiations with Rogers, Securitas, Telus and ADT.  

 Most importantly, we will also be electing Committee positions from the membership at large. 

Nominations for the 2027 Bargaining Committee will begin on January 12, 2026 and will close January 25, 2026. You’ll receive another email on January 12th with the link to the nomination form. 

The committee will be smaller by design than in previous rounds. A streamlined committee allows for: 

• Faster decision-making 

• Stronger cohesion at the table 

• A tighter concentration of member ability and experience 

• Better strategy discipline 

• Reduced costs, meaning more resources are preserved for the membership 

• More frequent returns to the workplace, so committee members stay connected to real time frontline issues 

 Currently our membership is split in the following demographics: 

As such the committee will consist of: 

• 1 Craft member from Appendix A 

• 1 Clerical member from Appendix A or C 

• 1 Craft or Clerical member from Appendix B 

This structure reflects the composition of our membership while ensuring we bring the strongest possible team forward. 

As President, I also retain the right to appoint a member-at-large if needed to ensure appropriate representation across the membership.  

Only elected members will have a vote to recommend a company offer to the membership, (with myself as President only voting to break any tie) meaning that rank and file members (not officers or staff) will determine when a Tentative Agreement is reached that will then go to the membership for a vote.  

Commitment 

Before nominating yourself, or someone else, please take a moment to consider the level of commitment required. 

While the committee will operate on a part-time model and every effort will be made to schedule meetings during regular business hours, the workload is real. At times, long hours, evening sessions, and occasional weekend meetings may be necessary to meet bargaining demands. Travel will be required. Bargaining sessions, whether virtual or in person, are often lengthy and require detailed, verbatim note-taking. 

A deep commitment to the Local, the members, and the bargaining process is essential. 

This structure reflects a hard reality: bargaining in 2027 will not be easy. But it also reflects our determination. We are building a committee that is stronger, more focused, and better equipped than ever before. With the right people we can meet this and deliver the agreement our members deserve. 

If you have questions about this process, please email contact@usw1944.ca. 

In Solidarity, 

Michael Phillips
President
USW Local 1944