THUNDER BAY – Postal workers will not be going to the picket line, but have committed to a ban on working overtime.
Late Thursday night, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) told its members they would continue delivering the mail, but would not do any extra duties.
This will mean that 260 postal workers in Northwestern Ontario are required to work their eight-hour shift daily or 40 hours a week.
According to CUPW’s letter to its members, postal workers are to return to the depot and drop off their mail, regardless of whether they have completed their routes.
Part-time and temporary workers can extend their shifts to a maximum of eight hours per day or 40 hours per week.
“It's basically work to rule,” Leo Favreau, CUPW Local 620 president, told Newswatch in an interview.
“This is what I was hoping for all along. I want to see my members making money, and I want to see the public get their mail,” said Favreau.
In a news release issued by Canada Post, members of the public should expect delays, but at this time, there are no rotating strikes or national work stoppages.
Negotiations between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers are far from over, but Favreau said that at some point, he could see Canada Post locking CUPW out.
“And then, I have no idea how long that'll be here. How do we continue to go from there?” he said.
Favreau wants the union and Canada Post to sit down and negotiate a deal.
“There are so many people that this is hurting. It's just very stressful."
Canada Post said they presented CUPW with offers that increase wages to six per cent in year one, three per cent in year two and two per cent in years three and four.
They also offered employees an income replacement for leave under the short-term disability program, and six additional personal days.
