Local 1944 Rogers Technicians in Abbotsford On Strike for Equal Pay and Fair Bargaining
Hello members,
Rogers technicians in Abbotsford, B.C., members of Local 1944, are on strike as of 12:01 a.m. this morning. The 25 technicians walked off the job after negotiations failed to deliver a fair contract that ensures equal pay and brings an end to the employer’s divide-and-conquer approach to bargaining. The strike is occurring after these technicians voted 100% to reject the company’s last offer, and 100% to authorize a strike.
Despite performing identical work to their counterparts in Vancouver and Surrey, the Abbotsford technicians are paid approximately 9% less – an inequality that is unjust and indefensible.
“Rogers is sending a clear message: it does not value the people who keep its services running in smaller communities like Abbotsford,” says Local President Michael Phillips.
“Our members do critical work every day to support Rogers customers, yet the company believes these workers deserve less simply because of their postal code. The last time I checked, the service that customers buy in Abbotsford costs the same as in Vancouver, so why are the workers paid less? That’s not just disrespectful, it’s shameful.”
We’re also fighting to align the Abbotsford contract’s term with contracts in the rest of the Lower Mainland. Currently, Abbotsford workers bargain on a different timeline than other Rogers technicians, which has allowed the company to exploit them as an isolated unit.
“For years, Rogers has deliberately kept this group bargaining alone so they can push lower wages and worse conditions,” says Jayson Little, USW Staff Representative. “That must end now. Our members are standing up not just for themselves, but for every worker who’s been told to sit down and accept less.”
This strike will also be among the first to take place under Bill C-58, Canada’s new anti-scab legislation that prohibits the use of replacement workers during legal strikes in federally regulated sectors like telecommunications.
“Thanks to this new law, Rogers can’t bring in scabs to do our members’ work while on the picket line. That levels the playing field and protects the right to strike without interference or intimidation,” said Little.
We’re calling out Rogers not only for unfair treatment of its workers, but for showing disregard toward loyal customers and the communities it claims to serve.
“This is how Rogers treats the people who keep your internet and phone services running,” said Phillips. “It says a lot about what they think of their workers and their customers. There are other options out there for internet providers. People should ask themselves if they want to keep supporting a company that treats its employees like this.”
We’re urging Rogers to return to the bargaining table with a serious offer that respects Abbotsford workers and addresses the long-standing injustices they face.
Please consider donating to help support these striking technicians in their fight for fair treatment. Strike pay is limited, so every dollar helps. Click here to donate.
In Solidarity,
USW Local 1944