United Steelworkers (USW), Local 1944 has announced that Telus, the telecommunications company, has offered the majority of its unionized employees a voluntary severance package. According to a statement by the union posted online, Telus has extended this package to 4,000 of its members across Canada, a significant increase from the previous offer of 2,000 employees just a few weeks ago.

What Factors Have Contributed to Telus’ Customer Service Challenges?

Telus had previously cited its investments in customer service technology and self-serve capabilities as the reason behind the voluntary severance package program. The intention was to provide customers with more options. However, the union disputes this justification, emphasizing the importance of local employees in delivering reliable customer assistance. It claims that Telus’ customer service is already struggling due to various factors such as inadequate workplace systems, insufficient employee training, sales pressures compromising service quality, the elimination of onshore union employees, and subpar contractor work.

In response to the voluntary severance by Telus, the union is actively engaging with policymakers to protect telecom quality and preserve jobs by urging them to intervene and prevent Telus from offering such severance packages. The union argues that Telus should not be allowed to prioritize its own interests over the quality of services it provides while pretending to cater to customer demands.

How can an employment lawyer help me navigate voluntary severance by Telus?

Organizational restructuring that leads to termination and severance, even in cases of voluntary severance, can be a challenging experience. If you’re seeking information about your rights as an employee regarding severance packages, the experienced employment lawyers at Whitten & Lublin can offer valuable insight and advice tailored to your specific circumstances. Please reach out to us online or by phone at (416) 640-2667 to discuss your situation.