The union representing TELUS employees in Quebec (SQET-CUPE 5044), and the union representing TELUS supervisory personnel (SAMT-CUPE 5144) have denounced a new offensive by TELUS, the aim of which is to further weaken union representation within the company.
Since the start of the year, TELUS has been increasing “voluntary” buyouts, which are exclusively targeted at unionized employees. This time, 12 members of SQET, 3 members of SAMT and five members with Métallos (TWU) have been singled out in the Business Solutions sector (BCX).
TELUS, meanwhile, cites the transformation and evolution of the business as the motivation for this action, but no information has been disclosed on position cuts involving non-unionized personnel. No announcement of quotas. No transparency. As usual, the process is being carried out under pressure, and the unionized employees only have until July 22 to accept or refuse the buyouts, with the departure date set for August 22.
“We don’t agree with TELUS’ definition of the word ‘evolution.’ As we see it, this is not progress but instead disengagement from customers and contempt for the workers who built this company,” said Luc Pouliot, president of SQET-CUPE 5044.
In the past 12 months, the employer has orchestrated six separate rounds of buyouts, resulting in the reduction of approximately 120 members in total from the two unions. This approach is aimed at weakening the unions and reducing their presence in the company.
An analysis of TELUS’ annual reports on staffing levels over the past 20 years uncovered an alarming trend:
In 2005, TELUS had 15,516 unionized employees (Métallos and CUPE).
By January 2024, this number had shrunk to 3,815.
In Quebec alone, 640 unionized jobs disappeared.
During this time, international jobs climbed to 79,000, while the number of jobs in Canada have stagnated at 28,000.
“TELUS has a clear mandate, and that is to get rid of unions. And by getting rid of its best players, it has become Canada’s leader in the number of complaints to the Commission for Complaints for Telecom-television Services (CCTS),” added Brian Leclerc, president of SAMT-CUPE 5144.
CUPE recommends that its members turn down the buyouts. If TELUS really wanted to reduce its staff, the number of jobs in Canada would also be declining. The company must put an immediate stop to its abusive practices and honour its commitments to unionized workers and its customers.