BURNABY – The Telecommunications Workers Union announced Wednesday that it will table a comprehensive response to all of the major issues that have been raised by Telus.
At the same time, union president Bruce Bell will send a personal letter to Telus president and CEO Darren Entwistle, asking him to “free his bargaining committee to engage in serious bargaining,” says the union press release.
The union is undertaking the two moves as part of its attempt to kick-start the stalled negotiating process, which has led to accusations and a work-to-rule campaign by the workers right after Telus overhauled its most recent offer.
In his letter to Entwistle, Bell said, "the TWU has chosen to table a serious counter-offer to Telus that addresses a number of the issues that your bargaining representatives have described as essential to the company. It is our sincere hope that the tabling of this counter-offer will finally kick-start some real bargaining."
Focusing on the difficulties that have dogged the process to date, adds the release, Bell asked Entwistle to "free your bargaining team from the overwhelming constraints that they have had placed upon them and give them the mandate to engage in some actual bargaining.
“Better still, we would welcome your personal presence at the bargaining table."
The TWU believes that in order for employees and the company to move on positively, the issue of job security must be dealt with. "Our members would like to be able to embrace the thought that, along with the company, their futures are friendly as well. But in order for this to happen, their fundamental concerns about job security and wage equity must be addressed at the bargaining table," Bell added.
"It is our sincere desire to negotiate an agreement," he explained. "But the operative word is agreement – not a document that is unilaterally imposed by the company."
