Company offering relocation assistance, voluntary separation packages
Around 150 TELUS call centre workers in Barrie, Ont., are facing pressure as they navigate a company mandate to either relocate to Montreal, according to their union.
Represented by the United Steelworkers Local 1944, the workers were told in July they had until October to make their decision, as TELUS plans to close its office in Barrie and pushes for a return to in-office work.
“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,” Michael Phillips, president of United Steelworkers Local 1944, told Global News.
The union has expressed concern about the lack of notice and the limited options available to workers. Phillips noted that most Ontario employees have been working from home for years, with few willing to relocate to Montreal for in-office work.
Relocation assistance from TELUS
TELUS has offered relocation assistance and voluntary separation packages, which the company claims exceed Canada Labour Code requirements, said Global News.
Spokesperson Brandi Merker acknowledged that the move represents a shift in operations but said that the company is investing in its team members to ensure long-term success.
“We feel strongly that our evolved style of serving our customers and investment in our valued team members will secure a strong future for our customers, team, and business,” she said.
Relocation and remote work challenges
TELUS’ call for employees to return to the office follows a nationwide mandate issued in the summer, requiring 1,000 call center workers across Canada, who have been working remotely since the COVID-19 pandemic, to report to the office three days per week starting in September.
The situation for the Barrie workers is complicated because their office is slated to close permanently following what TELUS described as a “thoughtful review” of its real estate, said Global News.
For now, the closure has been temporarily halted by a court order. On Aug. 8, the British Columbia Supreme Court granted a temporary injunction against TELUS’ return-to-office directive, allowing time for the union’s arguments to be heard.
The Global News report noted that this pause will remain in effect until two months after an arbitrator is selected and may be extended further depending on the court’s decision.
Legal expert Alex Lucifero told Global News that collective agreements typically dictate the terms of relocation. If no specific provisions exist, it becomes the union’s responsibility to fight for the employees’ rights.
