RIMOUSKI, Que. – Members of the SQET union working at Telus in Quebec have ratified the tentative agreement reached with the company on July 6.
The Syndicat québécois des employé-e-s de Telus (SQET), Local 5044 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE-FTQ), representing approximately 1,000 of the company’s 3,800 team members in Quebec, accepted the deal that gives them improved pay and benefits.
Among items in the three-year deal is a new variable pay scheme tied to the company’s success, which will provide up to 3% of basic salary in 2007, 4% in 2008, and 5% in 2009. All salaried employees will also get lump-sum payments of 1.75% in 2006 and 1% in 2007. Some 200 client representatives will see their workweek increase from 35 to 37.5 hours a week, raising their salaries by 7%.
New employees will be covered by a defined contribution pension plan, which the company says will be more attractive for recruits. Existing employees will be covered by the current pension, presumably a defined benefits plan.
When the tentative agreement was signed, Telus said it included improvements to maternity and parental leave, adjustments to daily allowances for living expenses and night shift differentials, as well as a new job evaluation plan effective in 2007.
“We are very pleased that our team members have accepted the new contract. The extremely productive and successful negotiations process between Telus and the union leadership demonstrates our commitment to our team members and their contribution to Telus’ success,” said Darren Entwistle, president and CEO of Telus in a statement. “Our strong and united team will continue to advance Telus’ leadership position in the highly competitive Quebec telecommunications market.”
The collective agreement, which expires on Dec. 31, 2009, was reached without a strike, unlike what happened with Telus employees in the Telecommunications Workers Union, who were off the job for four months last year.
