Rogers Using ‘Scabs’ to Replace Workers in Dispute, Says Union

The United Steelworkers (USW) is stepping up pressure on Rogers over a labour dispute in Abbotsford, B.C., urging members to write letters to Members of Parliament and calling for changes to Canada’s new anti-scab legislation.

The conflict began after just four days of negotiations failed to produce a contract. Since then, the dispute has stretched on for more than two months, with the USW accusing Rogers of undermining federal law by flying in managers to do the work of striking employees.

“Rogers’ use of management scab workers is in direct opposition to the spirit of Bill C-58 which received support from all parties in Ottawa,” the union said in its campaign materials, released on Wednesday. The USW argues that Rogers is “exploiting a loophole in the recently enacted Bill C-58, the Federal Anti-Scab Legislation, to fly in managers from across the country as their new replacement workforce.”

The union says the impact goes beyond the workplace. “This loophole disproportionately disadvantages and frankly harms smaller cities like Abbotsford,” it said. According to the USW, the dispute has left “25 families in our community” without a fair deal and customers with reduced service. “Paying customers are being denied service calls,” the union warned, adding that replacement managers “do not have the skills to effectively deliver the services that the community should be able to rely on.”

The form members fill out is a template to write to their local MP. The email will also CC directors at Rogers.

The campaign includes visible protests. A photo released by the union shows members holding a banner that reads, “Rogers uses scabs.” Just over a week ago, the USW projected the words “Fair contract now!” onto Rogers Arena in Vancouver on the night of a Cyndi Lauper concert.

The USW is calling on Ottawa to amend Bill C-58 to ensure companies cannot bypass it by using management staff as replacement workers. “Bill C-58 was meant to be more than words. Laws intended to safeguard workers must have real, enforceable consequences and if an ongoing labour dispute of over two months can happen in Abbotsford under C-58 then it can happen in smaller communities everywhere.”