NationStates Jolt Archive

Telus cuts subscriber access to pro-union website
Last Updated Sun, 24 Jul 2005 22:45:13 EDT
CBC News

The B.C.-based communications company that's in a bitter fight with unionized employees has blocked its internet subscribers from accessing a website supporting striking union members.

Telus subscribers can't get into Voices for Change (www.voices-for-change.com), which says it's "a community website run by and for Telecommunications Workers Union (TWU) members. "

The site calls the company's move censorship, and TWU president Bruce Bell questioned its legality.

But the company said the site suggested striking workers jam Telus phone lines, and posted pictures of employees crossing the union picket lines.

Telus spokesman Drew Mcarthur said advocating jamming lines hurt the company, and access to the pictures threatened the privacy and safety of employees.

Bell said union members who post online exchanges about jamming Telus service lines are acting within their rights.

People who use service providers other than Telus can still access the sites, and Telus subscribers can get in through a proxy site, http://vfc.proxy.pfak.org/, Voices for Change said.

TWU workers went on strike Thursday, after the company said it will impose a contract. Talks began almost five years ago, but have been acrimonious and unsuccessful.

There have been court cases and fights before the Canada Industrial Relations Board.

On Friday, Telus got an injunction stopping strike supporters from blocking access to the company's facilities.

The union has sought rulings from the board and expects to file more related to "intimidation, interference and the use of replacement workers," it said Sunday.

But it also complained about the board, saying a July 21 decision found that Telus was bargaining in bad faith again. However "without including any punitive sanctions, the board is allowing Telus to violate the law with impunity," Bell said.

So much for freedom of speech.

I'm not a Telus customer (because the city-owned CityTel is our only telecommunications service in our area, excellent service thought), so i decided to try and see if I can access that website (through www.voices-for-change.com, not the proxy site). But for somehow I can't access the site, why? Because the CityTel internet line runs through the Telus crossover. WTF?

So much for freedom of speech.

I'm not a Telus customer (because the city-owned CityTel is our only telecommunications service in our area, excellent service thought), so i decided to try and see if I can access that website (through www.voices-for-change.com, not the proxy site). But for somehow I can't access the site, why? Because the CityTel internet line runs through the Telus crossover. WTF?


I use Telus and I can't see it either.

So much for freedom of speech.
Freedom of Speech is a restriction on government, not on private business.

My power was down yesterday so I couldn't post, but after seeing this thread I thought I'd report to you that Monday night I called Telus and told them to cancel my subscription because of their anti-union BS.

The phone lines to Telus were jammed, btw, and the fellow I spoke with sounded as though he'd been fielding a lot of calls from people giving Telus the heave-ho that day.

He asked if, apart from the labour dispute and Telus' handling of it, if there were any other issues I had with Telus' service. I said, yes, it's too expensive ($25-30 dollars CAN per month) - and he came right back and offered me a package for $15 a month.

I said that was interesting, as I'd tried calling six or seven months back to find a solution to the high cost for their service - and was told flat-out, at the time, that there was no less-expensive service. He offered no comment.

'Too little, too late' I said. My phone went dead a few minutes later. Okay, so now I have no cel phone. Yesterday there was a blackout, so I couldn't do anything. I feel I did right by the Telus workers, but now I am without a phone.

I ask my Canadian friends - who's got the cheapest deal going right now?

I hate comparative shopping, my head can't stand all the attendant sales-crap. Who's got the goods on who I oughtta call? And does anyone know if I get to keep the number I got from Telus originally, or do I have to get a new one?

Thanks, looking forward to some helpful info.

*bumps*

for helpful info. C'mon my cel-phone addicted fellow Canucks... howsabout a signpost in the right direction?

*bumps again*

C'mon - you all anti-cel phone? Throw me a bone, here.

This isn't censorship per se, but I'm wondering whether Telus is within its legal rights on this.

Could any current or former Telus customer post their Terms of Service agreement so that we can see if this is permitted by the contract?