British Columbia

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. 

January 10, 2020 - Unionized Ledcor (LTS) Employees in BC, unionized with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) 213, have been on strike since October 1st 2019. USW Local 1944 wholeheartedly supports IBEW 213 strikers as they try to gain a respectful first Collective Agreement.
Changes to the Executive Board: I wish to advise everyone that several changes to the National Executive Board are in effect as of today, January 8, 2020.

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.

November 29, 2019 - Check out the November 2019 issue of your magazine.

This November issue features experiences from our LDS program students, young members getting involved at the Next Generation Forum in Quebec, a call to join the Resistance in Alberta, latest news on Indigenous rights in Canada, and more!

November 29, 2019 - USW Local 1944 is pleased to announce the launching of your online store on the shopping platform Shopify. It’s never been easier to buy a comfy Local 1944 t-shirts, a snazzy hat, a beautiful Women of Steel scarf or keychain. What better way to support your Union in the workplace than to wear your colours on the job.

Visit our online store at https://shopusw1944.ca.

November 27, 2019 - As we have communicated to members previously, the Union filed grievances in 2013 and 2014 asserting that “Concierge” Reps had been underpaid by Telus due to an incorrect wage categorization of their job. In December 2018, the Union won this grievance at arbitration, and the arbitrator ordered Telus to compensate former Concierge agents at the proper wage rate.