Tentative deal for 1000 TELUS workers in Quebec

RIMOUSKI, QC, June 21 /CNW Telbec/ - A tentative agreement has been reached for a new collective agreement covering nearly 1000 employees at TELUS Communications (Québec) Inc., members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE-FTQ). If ratified, the new contract will last until December 31, 2014.

Madeleine B.-Hudon, union negotiator for the Syndicat québécois des employés de TELUS (CUPE local 5044), expressed her satisfaction with the outcome. Diane Gagné, president of the local, said the agreement will be submitted for approval to the union council on Tuesday, June 22. Union leaders would then recommend it to members for adoption. "A series of meetings in all areas covered by TELUS in Quebec will be held as soon as possible, to share the details of the agreement with our members so they can make a decision."

Negotiations began in October 2009 with the theme "Pour notre avenir, nos emplois, nos conditions, agissons" ("Acting for our future, our jobs, our working conditions"). Bargaining continued until mid-February 2010, resumed with the help of a mediator and was finally concluded on Friday, June 18 after 13 days of support from a conciliator appointed by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

The previous contract had expired on December 31, 2009. Bargaining priorities included wages and contracting out.

The Syndicat québécois des employés de TELUS (CUPE local 5044) represents nearly 1000 members working all across Quebec - call centre agents, office staff, trades people, and maintenance workers.

TELUS is one of the largest telecommunications companies in Canada.

In addition to its 7,250 members working in the communications sector in Quebec, CUPE has a strong presence in several other sectors, including health and social services, education, public transportation and airlines, provincial crown corporations and public institutions, energy and municipalities. With 105,000 members in Quebec, CUPE is the largest union affiliate in the FTQ (Quebec Federation of Labor).

For further information: Madeleine B.-Hudon, CUPE National Representative, 418-724-9034; Robert Bellerose, CUPE Communications, cell. 514-247-9266; Sébastien Goulet, CUPE Communications, cell. 438-882-3756; Source: Canadian Union of Public Employees (FTQ)