Two unions representing TELUS employees in Quebec say the telecommunications company is conducting another round of buyouts that exclusively targets unionized workers, part of what they describe as a broader campaign to reduce union presence.
The unions announced July 10 that TELUS has offered voluntary buyouts to 20 unionized employees in the Business Solutions sector, giving them until July 22 to accept or decline. The affected workers include 12 members of SQET-CUPE 5044, three members of SAMT-CUPE 5144, and five members of the Metalworkers union.
Company cites business transformation
According to the unions, TELUS has cited business transformation and evolution as reasons for the buyouts. However, union leaders say the company has not disclosed whether non-unionized positions are being eliminated or provided information about overall staffing targets.
The departure date for employees who accept the buyouts is set for August 22, according to union statements.
“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.
Pattern of buyout rounds
This marks the sixth round of buyouts TELUS has conducted in the past 12 months, according to the unions. They say these offers have resulted in approximately 120 members leaving the two Quebec-based unions during that period.
The unions claim the buyouts are part of a strategy to weaken union representation at the company. They point to what they describe as a long-term decline in unionized positions at TELUS.
Union data on staffing changes
Union analysis of TELUS annual reports shows significant changes in the company’s workforce composition over two decades. According to the unions’ review:
- In 2005, TELUS employed 15,516 unionized workers represented by Metalworkers and CUPE
- By January 2024, that number had dropped to 3,815
- Quebec alone lost 640 unionized positions during this period
- International employment grew to 79,000 jobs while Canadian positions remained at 28,000
TELUS has not confirmed the numbers provided by the unions.
Customer service concerns raised
Brian Leclerc, president of SAMT-CUPE 5144, linked the workforce changes to customer service issues.
“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),” said Leclerc.
The unions are recommending their members decline the buyout offers. They argue that if TELUS genuinely needed to reduce staff, the company would also be cutting positions in Canada rather than maintaining current levels while growing international operations.
