January 31, 2020 - Check out the January 2020 issue of your magazine.

This issue features the USW Local 1944 Executive Board in-person meeting in Burnaby on January 22nd and 23rd, members’ experiences at the AFL/CLC annual Winter School, updates on Unit 63’s bargaining with Stratcom, and members’ participation at a rally to show solidarity with Swissport workers in Quebec.

January 27, 2020 - On Dec 11th we sent a communication detailing members reporting that they are no longer allowed to use company time for a Bio Break, while other members report they are not having any “blow back”. 

We sought member feedback for a better picture of whether many individuals were impacted or if there were just a few cases here and there that we had heard about.

January 24, 2020 - The federal government's budget implementation legislation for 2017 and 2018 (Bills C-63 and C-86) included extensive changes to Part III of the Canada Labour Code ("CLC" or "the Code"), which sets out minimum employment standards for employers operating under federal jurisdiction, like Telus and Shaw. As minimum standards legislation, the Code's provisions do not override more favourable arrangements provided for in a collective agreement.

January 20, 2020 - Recently an internal communication was sent to members by Telus management with explanations for the dramatic increase in complaints filed against Telus to the CCTS (Commission for Complaints for Telecom-television Services), as mentioned in the linked article below. 

www.vancouverisawesome.com/vancouver-news/customer-complaints-telus-2019-1947212 

January 17, 2020 - Members of Indigenous ancestry (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) are invited to apply to attend the USW Third National Gathering of Indigenous Steelworkers, that will take place on April 15-16 in Toronto, Ontario. 

December 23, 2019 - Check out the December 2019 issue of your magazine. 

Acting President Donna Hokiro addresses her thanks for a year of increased membership engagement, innovating changes, and improved connections within our Local.

December 19, 2019 - BC Telus employees (excluding COS) should remember that if your rotation has you working more than two Sundays in a calendar month, you are entitled to a premium for that shift:

Collective Agreement Article A5.10(b): “When a Regular full-time employee is assigned to work three (3) or more Sunday shifts in a calendar month, the employee will be paid a premium of one (1) times the employee’s basic hourly rate of pay for the third and any subsequent Sunday shift worked during that calendar month.” 

December 11, 2019 - Good Afternoon members. The Union has been hearing examples of members being instructed they are no longer allowed to use company time for a Bio Break, while other members report they are not having any “blow back”.

Examples have been given of members being told “Stop drinking so much water!” and “Your coffee and lunch are the appropriate times to use the facilities”. While it is possible to use one’s breaks to take care of “business” the reality is, when the urge hits, you may not be able to wait for a break.