The Telecommunications Workers Union (TWU) is very pleased with the final resolution regarding the Individual Apprentice Wage Progression grievance.

British Columbia (B.C.) currently does not have a Government recognized trade ticketed Communications (or equivalent) apprenticeship program. Since the program is needed in order to receive a ‘journey person’s status’, members could not progress or be fully recognized, for example, despite years of service.  This led to unnecessary problems, including wages being frozen.  With the final rendering, all grievors will receive retroactive payments and given priority should a program become available in B.C.  Please note that those who did not file a grievance will see their pay adjusted in accordance with the settlement.

The wording reflected in the grievance settlement reads as follows:

…the Company agrees to the following as final and complete resolution of policy grievance 2008.027, the individual grievances listed below, and any apprentice wage progression grievances that have been filed at step 1 as June 1, 2009.

* Effective the date of this settlement, wage progression for all B.C. apprentices will be in accordance with the “note” in Attachment B-2.

* For those current B.C. apprentices who initiated individual grievances and who were frozen at maximum wage rates for an apprenticeship year due to “time worked in craft”, retroactive adjustments will be calculated and paid based on the difference between the “frozen” and the “unfrozen” hourly rates for basic hours worked. This adjustment will not be included as eligible compensation for the purpose of variable pay (performance bonus plan) however will be eligible for contributions to the employees Share Plan for those that were participating during the applicable periods.

* For all other current B.C. apprentices who were frozen at maximum wage rates for an apprenticeship year due to “time worked in craft”, their existing wage rates will be adjusted on a go forward basis to reflect incremental increases based on the principal of bullet #1 (above), effective upon the signing date of this resolution. [June 5, 2009]

* If TELUS (in the province of British Columbia), were to participate in a Government recognized trade ticketed Communications (or equivalent) apprenticeship program, the individual grievors in the attached list will be given a priority opportunity along with any new apprentices to participate in the program over those current B.C. apprentices impacted by this resolution.