Telus Faces Backlash Over Voluntary Severance Offers to 700 Employees
The three unions representing Telus employees have united in their condemnation of the company’s latest wave of voluntary severance offers. On Wednesday, approximately 700 employees across Canada were presented with an opportunity to leave the company in exchange for financial compensation.
Brian Leclerc, president of the Syndicate of Masters Officers of Telus, expressed frustration over the tight deadline for responses. “What is most laughable is that they expect people to answer them by February 10,” he remarked,calling the move a sign of “lack of seriousness.”
The Quebec Syndicate of Telus employees has also voiced concerns,noting that such offers have become increasingly common in recent years. Luc Pouliot, the union’s president, revealed that membership has dwindled from 650 to 450 employees in the past 18 months, attributing the decline to these severance initiatives.
pouliot criticized Telus’s approach, suggesting it reflects a broader strategy to cut positions in Quebec and relocate them internationally. “It is the service to the population that is directly affected. So we really wonder where the company is leaving then what is its business strategy,” he stated.
The unions argue that these severance offers not only undermine employee morale but also jeopardize the quality of service provided to customers. With Telus already facing criticism for its customer service challenges,the latest move has sparked further debate about the company’s long-term goals.
Key Points at a Glance
Table of Contents
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Employees Affected | 700 across Canada |
| Response Deadline | February 10 |
| Union Membership Decline | Quebec Syndicate lost 200 members in 18 months |
| Union Concerns | Severance offers seen as part of a strategy to relocate jobs internationally |
As Telus continues to navigate these challenges, the unions remain steadfast in their opposition, calling for greater clarity and a reevaluation of the company’s approach to workforce management.
For more insights into Telus’s recent decisions, explore our coverage of their return-to-office mandates and their impact on employees.Telus Faces Criticism Over Offshore Job Relocations and Customer Service Delays
Canadian telecommunications giant Telus is under fire from unions and customers alike as it continues to relocate jobs overseas, leading to concerns about the loss of domestic expertise and deteriorating customer service. The Syndicat des Agents de Masters de Telus, led by President Brian Leclerc, has been vocal about the company’s shift of operations to countries like India, the Philippines, Morocco, Romania, Bulgaria, El Salvador, and Guatemala.
“In recent years, it is indeed really an exodus to India, the Philippines, Morocco, Romania, Bulgaria, Salvador, and Guatemala,” said Leclerc during a press conference. He emphasized that this trend has been ongoing for years, with unions repeatedly raising concerns about the impact on Canadian jobs and the quality of service provided to customers.
The Quebec union of Telus employees, represented by President Luc Pouliot, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the frustration of customers who face long wait times. “Queue an hour and a half to two hours to be served, I am not sure that you would return to this business,” Pouliot remarked.
Loss of Domestic Expertise
The relocation of jobs has led to a important loss of know-how within Canada, according to the unions. Telus, one of the country’s largest telecom providers, has increasingly relied on offshore operations to cut costs. However,this strategy has sparked criticism from labor groups,who argue that it undermines the quality of service and erodes the company’s domestic workforce.”We’ve been denounced for years,” added Leclerc, pointing to the long-standing grievances of unions over Telus’s outsourcing practices.
Customer Service Concerns
Customers have also expressed dissatisfaction with the service they receive, citing lengthy wait times and a perceived decline in the quality of support. The unions argue that these issues are a direct result of the company’s reliance on offshore call centers, which may not be as effective in addressing the needs of Canadian consumers.
Key Points at a glance
| Issue | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Job Relocations | Telus has moved jobs to India, the Philippines, Morocco, and other countries.|
| Union Criticism | Unions warn of a loss of domestic expertise and deteriorating service quality.|
| customer Complaints | Long wait times and poor service have frustrated customers. |
| Union Leaders | brian Leclerc and Luc pouliot have been vocal critics of Telus’s practices. |
The Road Ahead
As Telus continues to face backlash, the company must balance its cost-cutting measures with the need to maintain customer satisfaction and support its domestic workforce. The unions are calling for greater transparency and a reconsideration of the company’s outsourcing strategy.
For now, the debate over Telus’s offshore operations remains a contentious issue, with unions and customers alike demanding change.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Lisa-Marie BélangerTelus Faces Backlash Amid Record Profits and Workforce Transformation
The Canadian telecommunications giant, Telus, is under fire from union organizations, including the Syndicate of Manager Agents, as it navigates a period of record profits while implementing significant workforce changes. Critics argue that the company’s actions are weakening the Canadian telecommunications industry, even as customers face tariff increases.
Union representatives have voiced concerns that Telus continues to benefit from lucrative contracts and public subsidies at both federal and provincial levels. despite repeated challenges to elected officials, their grievances remain unaddressed. “The company has experienced record profits, yet its customers are burdened with higher tariffs,” one representative stated.
In response, Telus’s Director of Communications, Jacinthe Beaulieu, emphasized the company’s ongoing transformation. “We are engaged in a significant shift in our activities and customer approach,” she said. Beaulieu highlighted major investments in network infrastructure,which have enhanced its effectiveness and reliability.To support this transformation, Telus is offering voluntary departure packages that exceed the requirements of the Canada Labor Code. “To further support this technological transformation, we continue to offer voluntary starting offers with a generous financial compensation which goes beyond the requirements of the Canada Labor Code and which give team members the possibility of retiring or pursuing a career outside our institution,” Beaulieu explained.
Key Points at a glance
| aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Union Concerns | Telus accused of weakening the industry despite record profits and tariff hikes. |
| Public Subsidies | Company benefits from federal and provincial subsidies, according to unions. |
| Telus’s Response | Major investments in infrastructure and voluntary departure packages offered. |
| Customer Impact | Tariff increases reported amid company’s profitability. |
As Telus continues its transformation,the debate over its practices and their impact on the industry and consumers remains unresolved. For more insights into telus’s financial performance,explore its revenue growth and recent quarterly updates.
What are your thoughts on Telus’s approach to workforce transformation? Share your perspective below.
Interview: Insights into Telus’s Workforce Transformation and Customer Service Challenges
Editor: Luc Pouliot, President of the Quebec union of Telus employees, thank you for joining us today. There’s been significant discussion about the impact of Telus’s outsourcing practices. Can you elaborate on the concerns raised by your union and it’s members?
Luc pouliot: Thank you for having me. The primary concern we have is the relocation of jobs too offshore centers in countries like India, the Philippines, and Morocco. This has led to a significant loss of domestic expertise. Many of our members have decades of experience in the Canadian telecommunications industry, and their skills are being overlooked. This not only affects the workforce but also the quality of service provided to customers. we’ve seen a noticeable decline in customer satisfaction due to long wait times and inadequate support.
Editor: How has this impacted customer experience, and what feedback have you received from consumers?
Luc Pouliot: The feedback has been overwhelmingly negative. Customers are frustrated with wait times that can stretch up to two hours. Imagine waiting that long to resolve an issue—it’s no surprise that many are reconsidering their loyalty to Telus. This is a direct result of the company’s reliance on offshore call centers, which often lack the cultural and linguistic understanding needed to serve Canadian consumers effectively.
Editor: Another key issue raised by unions is the balance between Telus’s profitability and its workforce practices. Can you explain this conflict?
Luc Pouliot: Absolutely. Telus has been reporting record profits, yet it continues to cut costs by outsourcing jobs. Simultaneously occurring, customers are facing tariff increases. This disconnect between profitability and service quality is troubling. We believe that a company as successful as Telus should be investing in its domestic workforce rather than relying on outsourcing to boost its bottom line.
editor: What about the voluntary departure packages Telus has offered? How do they factor into this situation?
Luc Pouliot: While the company claims thes packages are generous and exceed the requirements of the Canada Labor Code, they don’t address the root of the problem. Offering voluntary departures may reduce the workforce, but it doesn’t solve the issue of outsourcing or the loss of expertise. What we need is a commitment to maintaining and nurturing a skilled domestic workforce that can deliver high-quality service to Canadian customers.
Editor: what steps do you believe Telus should take to address these concerns and regain the trust of both employees and customers?
Luc Pouliot: Clarity is key. Telus needs to be more open about its outsourcing strategy and how it plans to maintain service quality. Additionally,the company should reinvest in its domestic workforce by creating more local jobs and providing adequate training and support. By prioritizing customer satisfaction and employee well-being, Telus can rebuild trust and ensure long-term success in the Canadian telecommunications industry.
Conclusion
This interview highlights the growing tension between Telus’s cost-cutting measures and its impact on both employees and customers. As the company undergoes significant workforce transformation, the need for transparency and investment in domestic expertise remains critical. Addressing these concerns will be essential for Telus to maintain its position as a leading telecom provider in Canada.