Telus has told roughly 150 Ontario-based call centre employees that they must relocate to Montreal by October, find another role, or face layoffs, as part of a broader restructuring plan.
The move was being described by the employees’ union, United Steelworkers Local 1944, as a “backdoor termination” in July, aimed at reducing the workforce.
“Our members are under extreme stress at this time, especially those in Ontario being offered the choice of losing their communities or losing their jobs,” said Michael Phillips, president of United Steelworkers Local 1944 in a recent update, according to The Canadian Press. The union is assisting members with workplace accommodation requests and challenging Telus’ approach.
The relocation order is part of a nationwide return-to-office mandate that requires around 1,000 call centre workers to be in-office three days a week, starting in September. However, Ontario workers, who have been working remotely since 2020, face the closure of their Barrie office, leaving no local option for them.
Telus spokesperson Brandi Merker defended the decision in July, stating that it followed a “thoughtful review of our real estate” and reflects the company’s shift toward digital and AI-driven customer service.
Merker added that financial support and voluntary separation packages exceeding Canada Labour Code requirements are being offered to those impacted.
Phillips previously criticized the July offer as “disingenuous,” arguing Telus could maintain an Ontario office if it chose to. The union is exploring legal options, noting there was “virtually no notice” of the changes.
Last August, Telus announced plans to cut 6,000 jobs, citing industry challenges such as regulation and competition. The company has also shifted much of its customer service to automated tools, including generative AI.
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I hate that as a Public mobile user I'm supporting this garbage company, even if not directly. $34 a month for 50 gb, Canada and US data was too good to pass up.
That’s capitalism in a nutshell. People are expandable and valuable only as much as they can be utilized for making a profit. When the profit is down, the first cost saving measure is always to cut their jobs and by that, their livelihoods. ‘May not be perfect system but it’s best we have’.
Good news for shareholders but not for employees. Telecom will continue to downsize with AI and other technologies. Good luck to employees in adapting to emerging opportunities whatever they might be.
Indeed. New technology will always mean some jobs are reduced and/or become obsolete. We don’t have a lot of blacksmiths making and repairing kit for horse drawn wagons. We don’t have as many typewriter repair shops. Businesses don’t have nearly the number of receptionist and phone switch operators as they did 50 years ago.
To paraphrase Joe Biden when his policies destroyed coal miner jobs, “learn to code”. Cold hearted and insensitive, but probably true…with the caveat that AI might reduce coding jobs too.