More than 200 professional positions, costing an average of $85,000 per year, are threatened at TELUS across Quebec, according to a union which fears an upcoming relocation of jobs.
“We approached the employees to obtain voluntary departures, but we fear the relocation of these jobs,” worries Brian Leclerc, president of the Union of Supervisors of TELUS (SAMT).
Professionals in marketing, business analysis, project and network management… more than 135 employees in his unit had a starting offer out of the 550 employees.
A good part of the jobs are in Rimouski, but also throughout Quebec. Unionized employees of Steelworkers and CUPE are also affected, mentions the SAMT to the Log.
“We know very well that there were missions in India. The employer has sent resources to train people there to do some of the work,” said Brian Leclerc of the union.
“It is sure that it does not speak French over there. The service provided by our customers will leave something to be desired,” he denounces.
Philippines, Romania, Bulgaria, San Salvador, Guatemala… union members fear that TELUS is looking to countries with lower wages than those here. “We sometimes have six for one in terms of remuneration. It’s impossible to compete with that”, deplores Brian Leclerc at the head of the SAMT.
“If TELUS does not commit to preserving Canadian jobs, we are asking your government to suspend government contracts with the company,” the Steelworkers leaders demanded in a press release.
TELUS fights back
Joined by The newspaper, TELUS defended itself by saying it prioritizes its customers with “digital, convenient and user-friendly self-service options.”
“We have made significant investments in technology and we continue to evolve our business to support the development of emerging technologies in a dynamic business environment,” explained its spokesperson Jacinthe Beaulieu.
“In light of these trends, we offer a voluntary separation program and we expect that a limited number of people in Quebec will be interested in this program, which is pan-Canadian,” she concluded.