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Rogers to lock out former Shaw techs after failed contract negotiations

The workers are concerned about Rogers' alleged increased use of contractors, but the company claims its latest offer attempts to reduce contractor use

Rogers is the latest Canadian telco to lock out union workers after a breakdown in contract negotiations.

As reported by theĀ Canadian Press, Rogers said it would lock out almost 300 former Shaw technicians on Monday after the workers notified Rogers they planned to start a series of rotating strikes at noon that day.

United Steelworkers (USW) union Local 1944 Unit 60 represents the former Shaw technicians in Vancouver, Richmond, Surrey and Langley, B.C. The technicians were absorbed into Rogers as part of the merger from earlier this year.

The technicians’ concerns are largely about job security, as Rogers allegedly increased reliance on contractors. USW spokesperson Jayson Little told the Canadian PressĀ that Rogers has maintained its bargaining position of contracting out union workers’ “long-established jurisdictional work,” as well as expanding what it would permit contractors to do.

The technicians also told theĀ Canadian PressĀ that the planned rotating strikes would have minimized the impact on customers, but the lockout will keep them off the job entirely.

The union called out Rogers’ commitment to create 3,000 new jobs in Western Canada over five years, contrasting the promise with recent job losses stemming from the company’s effort to reduce overlap after the Shaw takeover.

Rogers spokesperson Cam Gordon provided the following statement toĀ MobileSyrup:

“Following the unionā€™s notice of rotating strikes andā€Ærefusalā€Æto provide clarity on their job action, weā€™ve reluctantly taken this step to ensure we can continue to carry out our critical work for our customers without interruption.ā€ÆThe unionā€Æleft us with no choice given the uncertainty they created.ā€Æ”

Gordon also told the Canadian PressĀ that the company’s goal “has always been to achieve a negotiated settlement that meets the needs of our employees and our customers, and we’ve presented a fair and balanced proposal that would grow the units and protect jobs. It’s really disappointing the union took this step and is misrepresenting facts.”

Workers and Rogers have been at the bargaining table since February, while the workers’ previous collective agreement expired on March 23rd. TheĀ Canadian PressĀ also noted that the union asked workers to limit overtime last week, an effort to pressure Rogers to change its position. However, the union accused Rogers of retaliating by using “scab labour” to cover overtime needs.

Gordon told theĀ Canadian PressĀ that Rogers “activated our contingency plans so we can continue to carry out our critical work for our customers and meet their needs without interruption. This includes redeploying employees and contractors.”

Additionally, Gordon rejected the idea that Rogers was replacing technicians with contracts, saying instead that Rogers’ latest offer included language about growing the combined bargaining unit and backfilling vacated roles with full-time employees to “provide job security and further reduce the use of contractors.” The company says it uses contractors to support seasonal shifts in work and to address resource shortages.

Update November 6th, 2023 at 11:37am ET:Ā Added a statement from Rogers.

Source: The Canadian Press

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