Instead of a postal strike the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) is calling for a nation-wide overtime ban, asking that it’s 55,000 members refuse to work any more than eight hours a day or more than 40 hours a week.
CUPW’s national executive board called for the overtime ban to come into effect today, May 23.
Canada Post paused contract negotiations with CUPW last week and in response the union gave strike notice for Friday, May 23. Last November, postal workers went on strike for more than six weeks, heavily affecting the busy holiday season.
On May 21, Canada Post presented an offer it said includes “further movement on wage increases and protection of employee benefits and entitlements.”
According to CUPW, the union offered a truce of two weeks to continue negotiations without the threat of a strike or a lockout, but Canada Post refused.
“The corporation’s actions have created widespread public uncertainty, which has already pushed some customers to our competitors,” said national union president Jan Simpson in a news release issued Thursday. “At this time, the union has decided to proceed with an overtime ban to minimize disruptions to the public and lost days to members.”
The release notes, additional actions may take place in the future if Canada Post makes any moves such as changing working conditions, suspending their benefits or beginning layoffs.
“With the urban collective agreement no longer in effect, we have the right not to take overtime, even if your supervisor says it’s forced overtime – because forced overtime was enabled by the collective agreement,” says the release. “The negotiators continue to review and analyze the content of the global offers and will provide more details soon.”
The union is asking that letter carriers and rural workers return to the depot and drop off their mail after eight hours' work, regardless of whether they have completed their routes.
Part-time and temporary workers are permitted to extend their hours, to a maximum of eight per day and 40 per week.
The release notes this is a legal strike action, which all CUPW members must follow. It adds, workers should consult with their shop steward or local executive if they’re unsure about anything or “if management pressures or harasses you to try to get you to work overtime. We’ll help you enforce our rights.”
In their own news release, Canada Post said it will continue operating, but as a result of the overtime ban, customers may experience delays.
"It’s unclear how CUPW’s strike action may evolve. At this time, there are no rotating strikes or national work stoppage. The corporation will keep Canadians and businesses informed if strike activity escalates and there are changes to postal operations."
