Telus undermining ability to maintain quality of service with latest voluntary severance packages: Steelworkers

United Steelworkers union (USW) Local 1944, which represents approximately 4,000 members at Telus, said Wednesday the Vancouver-based telecom’s latest round of voluntary severance packages (VSPs) is part of an ongoing practice that raises concerns about the integrity of Canada’s telecommunications system. USW Local 1944 said in a press release Telus last week issued 545 VSPs to local members, impacting workers in various “critical departments”, including outside plant construction, cable repair, network operations, and engineering. “This follows a trend of similar packages offered over the past two years significantly reducing its Canadian workforce,” the USW release said. “The recent round of VSPs comes...