Rogers Turns to Ericsson, Then Lets Hundreds Go: A Shifting Picture for Canada’s Wireless Scene
A move to bring Ericsson in to run Rogers’ wireless network led to big changes for hundreds of workers. Days of calm talk about a smooth shift are giving way to a wave of layoffs. The plan also followed a push to form a union, with some staff saying jobs are now being sent abroad.
A Two-Stage Layoff Plan and a Shift in Roles
Rogers told about 400 tech staff and managers they could take a severance deal or sign on with Ericsson as a contractor. Ericsson would manage parts of the carrier’s wireless network. Now, most of those workers face layoffs, even after Rogers’ chief technology officer had said no jobs would vanish because of the switch.
One person affected spoke up about the rollout. They claim roughly 360 of the 400 workers will lose their jobs in two waves. The first group stays until October 31, the second until January 31. In meetings on September 8, some heard they could stay but would need to help move their tasks to India.
The person also said AI did not drive the move. Offshoring, they argued, was mainly about cutting labor costs.
Ericsson’s Response vs. The Ground Truth
Ericsson’s spokesperson, Nathan Gibson, told a tech news outlet that the numbers aren’t right. He pointed to a Globe and Mail piece that listed 100 layoffs set for October 31. He added that the union push did not drive the layoffs.
The Globe article, which covers the October layoffs, doesn’t clearly address the January layoffs that others have reported. The spokesperson didn’t answer questions about January cuts, but sent a company statement:
Ericsson has worked in Canada for over 70 years. The change today brings our network teams in Canada together with global operations. We know this affects people, and we’re helping them move on with severance above typical levels, plus career services and workshops.
Still, some workers say severance was only the bare minimum, even for those who spent 20 years with Rogers. They also say the promised improvements to operations have not shown up. They point to outages that hit Rogers Wireless after the shift.
What Went Wrong After the Switch?
The concerned worker notes two major outages since Ericsson took the helm. One hit Rogers Wireless in June, and a large internet outage affected several providers in May. Rogers has denied a network-wide outage occurred, though customers reported uptime problems or slower speeds.
The timing of the layoffs comes after a push to unionize. About half of the 400 workers who moved to Ericsson tried to form a union. A steelworkers group filed for certification to represent around 200 staff. Later, another filing covered 37 of the 100 impacted employees.
Ericsson’s side did not answer why the company chose layoffs so soon after the transfer. Rogers also declined to comment directly, steering questions to Ericsson and pointing to the Globe’s report on the 100 layoff figure.
A Broader Pattern in Rogers’ Hiring Freeze and Cuts
This is not Rogers’ first bout with big job changes. In recent months, the company laid off thousands. In July, roughly 1,000 Canadian workers tied to a contract with Foundever left, cutting roles in tech support, care, and call centers. Earlier in February, about 400 chat agents were cut. Last year, the Shaw merger brought a large round of job losses, with totals surpassing 3,000. Rogers did promise to add 3,000 roles in Western Canada as part of the merger, but the tally has not matched that pledge.
Both Rogers and Ericsson have faced questions about the pace and messaging of these moves. Law firms and labor groups have stepped in to weigh in on worker rights and severance, while employees try to map out their next steps in a shifting tech landscape.
What This Means for Canada’s Tech Crowd
The Rogers-to-Ericsson switch shows how large network work can more easily slide to global partners. It also spotlights the tension between cost goals and worker security. When major outages hit, trust in management can waiver, and workers feel the pressure to push for better terms or new roles elsewhere.
For staff on the front lines, the big question remains: how can the industry support steady careers when outsourcing and offshoring become common next steps? The answer may lie in clear, timely communication and real options for those who want to stay with the company in some capacity.
The broader tech community will be watching how Canada’s telecom players balance cost, service quality, and job security as networks evolve. The next chapters may redraw how tech teams team up with outside partners, how unions adapt, and how customers experience reliability when outages occur.
Header image credit: Shutterstock
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