The TEAM Needs Your Support

This is a fight labour must not lose.

The Telecommunications Employees Association of Manitoba (TEAM) Local 161 represents 1,100 managers, supervisors and other professionals at MTS Allstream in Manitoba. They've been in contract negotiations since February - battling an employer position that should be of concern to members of all union.

The employer wants to change the employee pension from a defined benefit plan to a mandatory defined contribution plan for new employees. Under a defined benefit plan, which not too long ago was the normal for virtually all pension plans, the worker knows how much pension they will eventually receive. Under a defined contribution plan, the worker knows only how much they must pay into the plan - not how much they will eventually receive from the plan.

MTS wants to unload the cost of future pension liabilities unto its new employees, thereby saving itself millions of future dollars. Young graduates and professionals coming to work for MTS, doing the same jobs as current employees, would receive less secure and poorer pensions. TEAM is not prepared to agree to a concession that discriminates against our kids.

As we all know, MTS was once a publicly owned Manitoba utility. MTS Allstream is now a very different entity. Layoffs, downsizing, off shoring, increasing work loads, etc. have become the norm. Job security is a big issue. TEAM has had members with 25+ years of loyal service laid off, while contractors remain in the workplace. TEAM also sees its fight as protecting skilled jobs in our communities.

In an effort to impose this concession on TEAM, MTS has applied for conciliation. This has started the clock ticking toward a possible lockout. MTS has locked out other unions in the past. The outcome of this fight may well have repercussions for the other Unions at MTS Allstream, as well as other white collar professionals and employees throughout the Province.

"It is in everyone's best interests to nip this one in the bud," days MFL President Darlene Dziewit. "Other employers, who have been chomping at the bit to get away from defined benefit plans will jump on the band wagon if MTS were to get what they want. The labour movement in Manitoba must never allow an employer to attack a union's pension plan by forcing a strike or lockout without facing a rough ride from all union activists. MTS must not be allowed to starve this kind of a concession out of a group of workers."

The labour movement is responding to the needs of TEAM members. Both MFL President Darlene Dziewit and Canadian Labour Congress President Ken Georgetti have written letters to Pierre Blouin, CEO of Manitoba Telecom Services. (Dziewit's letter - Georgetti's letter)

TEAM would like to have as many union activists as possible make their opinions known. Letters to MTS Allstream speaking out against a two-tier discriminatory defined contribution pension plan for new hires can to be sent to TEAM for delivery to the employer. This type of concession affects how all young employees are treated. It impacts our children, and it has negative repercussions for the type of community and society we want to build in Manitoba.

TEAM would also like to receive pledges of financial support to be used for lockout pay to members, which TEAM can call upon as negotiated loans as needed, in the event of an MTS Allstream lockout. The last MTS Allstream lockout lasted in excess of 105 days.

Letters pledging financial support, as well as letters against the introduction of a defined contribution plan at MTS Allstream, can be faxed or emailed to:
TEAM
306-1 Wesley Ave
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3C 4C6
Fax 204-231-2809
Email team@teamunion.mb.ca
Attention: Bob Linsdell