Locked Out

On April 18, 2005, TELUS filed notice of a lockout to commence on April 25.
From the document:
"Please be advised that, effective Monday, April 25, 2005 at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Daylight Savings Time, the Employer will be commencing a lockout by implementing the following measures:" [Link to PDF of full text]

As the weeks went by, more 'measures' were added to the lockout, but the company wanted to keep the employees inside until they had their 'contingency plan' in order, and the union itself wanted to keep people working while appeals were being processed by the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) and the courts. We stayed on.

At 12:01 am on July 22, the company will be unilaterally imposing (as a "lockout measure") their terribly flawed offer as the on-going working conditions. Essentially, because the company can't force us to vote on the offer, they will just implement it anyway. So far the CIRB has done little more than shake their finger at TELUS and say 'naughty'. No sanctions imposed for the repeat breaking of labor laws.

If this stands, what would it say to other large corporations in Canada? Why would any other company bother with negotiations when they can simply make an absurd offer, then push it through without any vote? It's seems like the sort of thing that could cripple labor in this country.

We walked. I can't think of it as a strike because members in BC are physically locked out. In Alberta, where labor support is much weaker and information about the union is not well known, management is encouraging people to cross the picket lines. As for the few that crossed, I hope they reconsider.

By the way: yes, I have drastically changed my opinion and perception of the union over the last few months. I had a pretty anti-union upbringing, but my research has revealed my stupid prejudices were just really stupid.