Solidarity with Striking Telus Workers

August 4, 2005.

BY FAX AND MAIL (604-435-7760)

Mr. Bruce Bell
President
Telecommunications Workers Union
5261 Lane Street
Burnaby, B. C.
V5H 4A6

Dear Brother Bell:

On behalf of the CUPW National Executive Board and our entire membership, I want to take this opportunity to express our unqualified support and solidarity with the TWU and its members in the current struggle with Telus.

The strike and the long-standing dispute which preceded it have huge implications for the labour movement. Telus and its President, Darren Entwhistle, have blatantly rejected the very notion of collective bargaining and have refused to negotiate in any meaningful way for over four years. The Canadian Industrial Relations Board has declared that Telus has committed unfair labour practices, interfered with the administration of TWU and attempted to do an end run around the union by communicating with TWU members in an effort to discredit the union, and poisoned the collective bargaining process. It is vital for all unions that TWU succeed in the fight against this anti-union corporation.

Brother Bell, CUPW members are no strangers to a struggle against an employer determined to attack its workers. CUPW knows only too well what TWU and Telus workers are facing. For this reason, and especially because we understand your battle with Telus, in a very important way, is on behalf of all of us, we are urging all of our members to do everything possible to support striking Telus workers.

CUPW for many years has had a strong solidarity relationship with TWU and we want you to know that, in the battle with Telus, you can count on us. We are encouraging CUPW members to join striking Telus workers on the picket lines and we ask you to please let us know if you have a need for any further assistance.