Telus (TU) Announces Job Cuts Impacting Canadian Workforce
BURNABY, British Columbia, Jan. 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In a significant development for the Canadian economy, telecommunications giant Telus (TU) has unveiled a new round of voluntary severance packages (VSPs), further reducing its workforce across the country. This move marks the continuation of a decade-long trend of job eliminations at the company, affecting communities and service quality across Canada.
Details of the Job Cuts
Telus is offering nearly 700 voluntary severance packages to its workforce, which includes over 500 members of the United Steelworkers union (USW). These layoffs primarily impact employees working in Telus Business Solutions operations in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec, as stated by Michael Phillips, President of USW Local 1944, representing around 4,000 Telus employees.
Employees have a short window to respond to the severance offers, with a deadline set for January 21. This decision comes amid growing concern about the implications for job security and service levels within the telecommunications sector.
Implications for Communities and Economy
Phillips emphasized that the continued reduction of the Telus workforce will have detrimental effects on both communities and the Canadian economy. He stated, “Further workforce reductions at Telus will hurt communities and the Canadian economy, and will only exacerbate Canadians’ growing dissatisfaction with the service they’re receiving from telecommunications companies.”
In fact, complaints filed against Telus to the Commission for Complaints for Telecom-television Services surged by 62% in 2025 compared to the previous year. This sharp increase reflects a growing discontent among customers regarding the quality of services provided by Telus.
Government Response and Future Actions
The Canadian government, responsible for regulating telecom operators nationwide, has faced criticism for its lack of action to stem job losses or improve service standards. Phillips noted, “The federal government keeps saying we have a productivity problem in Canada. They should be ensuring higher telecom services standards for business, rather than standing by as companies like Telus cut business services.”
In response to these job cuts, the USW and its political allies plan to continue lobbying the federal government to safeguard Canadian jobs and protect the integrity of Canada’s national telecom infrastructure.
About the United Steelworkers Union
The USW represents 225,000 members in nearly every economic sector across Canada, making it the largest private-sector union in North America, with a total of 850,000 members across Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean. The union is committed to advocating for better working conditions, fair compensation, and the overall welfare of its members.
For more information, Michael Phillips, USW Local 1944 President, can be contacted at michael.phillips@usw1944.ca or by phone at 604-818-7466. Jayson Little, USW staff representative, is reachable at jlittle@usw.ca or 778-837-3584.