IBEW Local 213 Responds Quickly to End Unfair Lockout of Unionized Rogers Employees
Rogers Communications has ended its nine-day lockout of 26 Kootenay technicians after swift action by IBEW Local 213. The technicians voted to unionize last year, and bargaining began in June 2024.
Rogers proposed a one-year agreement backdated 10 months that would cut wages by up to 24%, reduce benefits, slash vacation time, and eliminate RRSP matching. Simultaneously, the company gave non-unionized employees a 5% wage increase, a common tactic to discourage union organizing. Workers unanimously rejected the proposal. Rogers then petitioned the Labour Board, requesting that they order another ratification vote on yet another substandard agreement, only to be swiftly denied by Minister Steven MacKinnon, Federal Minister of Jobs and Family.
The telecom giant reported $20 billion in revenue for 2024. In the company’s Q4 earnings release, President and CEO Tony Staffieri highlighted “…three straight years of industry-leading results.” Yet, instead of negotiating fairly, on March 19, Rogers locked out workers and delayed progress at the bargaining table.
IBEW Local 213 responded by filing an unfair labour practice complaint, alleging that Rogers engaged in “surface bargaining” without any real intent to reach an agreement. A similar case occurred in 2017 when Ledcor locked out employees in British Columbia. IBEW 213 successfully argued Section 80 of the Canada Labour Code to force a fair settlement, setting a legal precedent for first agreements.
On March 27, Rogers issued a letter to IBEW Local 213, ending the lockout.
“Rogers came to the table with a sub-par proposal while increasing wages for non-union workers,” said IBEW Local 213 Business Manager, Jim Lofty. “This isn’t about compensation. It’s about control. Unions ensure fair treatment and long-term gains, while corporations rely on short-term incentives to maintain power.”
The telecommunications industry in Canada is controlled by Rogers, Bell, and Telus, which hold nearly 90% of the market, “The Big Three”. Rogers holds the largest share, just over 30%. Local 213 already represents Rogers employees in other areas of B.C. and is seeing growing interest from technicians seeking fair wages and job security.
The IBEW stands with these workers and remains committed to securing a fair first agreement. We urge Rogers to return to the bargaining table with a realistic proposal.
