Syndicat des Métallos & Labor Congress of Canada
Canadian Unions Decry Telus’s Treatment of Turkish Content Moderators
TORONTO (AP) — Canadian labor organizations are voicing concerns over the working conditions of Telus Digital employees in Türkiye, who moderate content for TikTok.The Syndicat des Métallos and the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) have both condemned the situation, citing exposure to disturbing material and alleged anti-union practices.
Union Claims Unfair Labor Practices at Telus Digital
Content moderators in Türkiye, employed by Telus Digital, a subsidiary of Canadian telecommunications giant Telus, are tasked with reviewing a high volume of videos, many containing graphic violence and abuse, according to union representatives. Workers have also reportedly complained about low pay.
After forming a union, Çağrı-İş Sendikası, and receiving official recognition from the Turkish government in August, Telus Digital and Telus have allegedly refused to recognize the union. Marty Warren, Canadian National Director of Metallos, stated, “The work of content moderators is already very unpleasant, but Telus Digital aggravates their difficult working conditions by subjecting them to highly restrictive objectives to keep their jobs, while paying them lean wages. In addition, Telus engages in anti-union practices in dismissing union leaders. We cannot accept this in Canada or elsewhere.”
According to the union, numerous union members have been dismissed or laid off since the union’s formation. Fifteen former employees have filed legal action seeking reinstatement.
Call for Government Intervention
The Syndicat des Métallos, which represents 3,500 Telus workers in Canada, is urging the Canadian government to intervene and ensure Telus treats it’s Turkish workers fairly and recognizes their right to unionize. The union says telus has outsourced jobs and reduced its Canadian workforce in recent years. They also allege that Canadian employees face intensive digital surveillance, pressure to meet sales targets, and are subject to restrictive guidelines regarding company “well-being” surveys.
CLC Stands in Solidarity
The Canadian Labour Congress, representing over three million workers in Canada, is supporting the Syndicat des Métallos in demanding that Telus and its subsidiaries respect their employees’ rights to a fair workplace and the freedom to join a union, regardless of location.
“As a spokesperson for Canada workers, we will always be united with workers around the world who are abused by Canadian companies,” said Bea Bruske, president of the CLC. “Workers around the world must have the right to unionize and claim better salaries and better working conditions. Prejudice for one is a prejudice for all of us.”
Contact Details
For more information, contact:
- Michael Phillips, president of the 1944 Local Section of Metallos, Michael.Phillips@usw1944.ca, 604-818-7466
- Paul Bocking, Humanitarian Fund for Metallos, pbocking@usw.ca
Canadian Unions Decry Telus’s Treatment of Turkish Content Moderators: A Q&A
What is the core issue concerning Canadian unions adn Telus?
Canadian labor organizations are expressing concerns regarding the working conditions of Telus Digital employees in Türkiye (Turkey), who moderate content for TikTok. The Syndicat des Métallos and the Canadian Labor Congress (CLC) have voiced their condemnation of the situation. They cite exposure to disturbing material and alleged anti-union practices as primary issues.
What specific concerns do unions have about the working conditions of Turkish content moderators?
Content moderators in Türkiye, employed by Telus Digital (a subsidiary of the Canadian telecommunications giant Telus), are tasked with reviewing a high volume of videos. According to union representatives, many of these videos contain graphic violence and abuse. Workers have also reported complaints of low pay.
Which Canadian unions are involved in this issue?
The two main Canadian labor organizations involved are:
Syndicat des Métallos: This union represents 3,500 Telus workers in Canada.
Canadian Labour Congress (CLC): Representing over three million workers in Canada,the CLC is supporting the Syndicat des Métallos.
What is Telus Digital accused of doing regarding the union Çağrı-İş Sendikası?
Telus Digital and Telus are accused of refusing to recognize the union Çağrı-İş Sendikası, which was formed by Turkish content moderators and officially recognized by the Turkish government in August.
What are some specific unfair labor practices alleged against Telus Digital?
according to Marty Warren,Canadian National Director of Metallos,Telus Digital is accused of:
Aggravating arduous working conditions.
Subjecting employees to highly restrictive objectives to keep their jobs.
Paying lean wages.
Engaging in anti-union practices, including dismissing union leaders.
How has Telus Digital responded to these allegations?
the provided text does not include Telus Digital’s response to the allegations.
Have any employees taken legal action?
Yes, according to the information provided. Fifteen former employees have filed legal action seeking reinstatement after being dismissed or laid off sence the union’s formation.
What actions are the unions calling for?
The Syndicat des Métallos is urging the Canadian government to intervene and ensure that Telus treats its Turkish workers fairly and respects their right to unionize.
What other concerns do the unions have about Telus’s practices?
The Syndicat des Métallos points out that Telus has outsourced jobs and reduced its canadian workforce in recent years. They also allege that canadian employees face:
Intensive digital surveillance.
Pressure to meet sales targets.
* Restrictive guidelines regarding company “well-being” surveys.
What is the CLC’s position on this issue?
The Canadian Labour Congress stands in solidarity with the Syndicat des Métallos.They are demanding that Telus and its subsidiaries respect their employees’ rights to a fair workplace and the freedom to join a union, regardless of location.
How does the CLC view the broader issue of companies and workers’ rights?
Bea Bruske, president of the CLC, stated that the CLC supports workers abused by Canadian companies around the world. The CLC believes that workers worldwide must have the right to unionize and claim better salaries and working conditions.
How can I find more information?
You can contact the following representatives:
| Contact Name | Title | Email | phone |
|—|—|—|—|
| Michael Phillips | President of the 1944 Local Section of Metallos | Michael.Phillips@usw1944.ca | 604-818-7466 |
| paul Bocking | Humanitarian Fund for Metallos | pbocking@usw.ca | N/A |