Alberta

Cute critters obscure Telus’ ruthless job cuts in Canada

By Donna Hokiro, president, Local 1944, United Steelworkers Union By now, many, if not most Canadians are familiar with the ubiquitous ads propagated for so long by telecommunications giant Telus Corp.

Taking our Fight to the Top

In a powerful display of determination and unity, USW Local 1944 is stepping up its efforts to protect Canadian jobs and confront the alarming erosion of our collective bargaining unit. In a partnership with the USW Canadian National Office, Local 1944 is taking the fight directly to the most powerful person in the country, Prime Minister Trudeau.

Telus declares war on the Canadian Economy

Over the last few weeks, Telus has offered more than 4,000 Voluntary Severance Packages (VSPs) to USW Local 1944 members throughout Canada, representing a majority of their Unionized employees. This means that the very money that Canadians pay to Telus for telecom services is being used to pay Canadians to leave their jobs, thereby permanently eliminating good, middle-class, union jobs from this country. #ShameOnTelus

Ongoing Departure Programs at Telus Hurt Communities

The prosperity of Canada’s economy is founded upon good, stable, Union jobs. With that in mind, USW Local 1944 expresses its deep disappointment that Telus, while professing that they ‘Give Where They Live’, has announced that it is offering nearly 2,000 Voluntary Severance Packages and Early Retirement Incentive Packages to Local 1944 members across the country.

Celebrating Our Wins

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One of the greatest benefits of unionization is our collective ability to hold the employer accountable. Not only does Local 1944 fight hard at the bargaining table, we also engage in a vigorous defense of our members on many other fronts. Most recently, the Union has been able to achieve settlements from the Company via the grievance and arbitration process. Here is a summary of some of our recent wins:

Spring 2023 issue of your 1944@Work

In this issue… - We highlight the momentum and solidarity that we have created during bargaining - We take a moment to celebrate our successes and breakdown the several advancements you helped your bargaining committee secure

Telus Bargaining Update #36

Hello Members,

By working relentlessly since launching our #RiseUP campaign, we’ve made many gains for our members and our families, including:

We Gained:
✅ Pay provisions for employees absent from duty now applies to all members
✅ A standardized Union introduction for all members
✅ Domestic Violence Leave
✅ Increases, long overdue, to per diem rates, boot allowances, and premiums
✅ Enhanced Technological Change Protection
✅ Language allowing our stewards to participate in Investigative Meetings

Strike Vote Handout and Strike FAQ

Please find our Strike Vote Handout and Strike FAQ. Strike Vote Handout Strike FAQ Also, check out our video of practice pickets across the nation.

An Open Letter to Telus Managers

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USW Local 1944 is ready and waiting to reopen negotiations with Telus to conclude a fair Collective Agreement. If you are already aware of our position on the issues you can see that we are not asking for anything outrageous: wages that account for the increasing cost of living, some improvements of little cost to Telus, and we’re seeking that Telus drop further concessions to health benefits, pension and other items, which are wholly unnecessary given Telus’ present financial success.

Telus Bargaining Update #34 - Strike Vote

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Despite repeated attempts, Telus has persistently declined to resume negotiations, leaving us with no alternative but to take decisive action. Your Bargaining Committee is therefore seeking your support in a call to STRIKE, if a negotiated agreement cannot be reached.