CUPW Issues Overtime Ban

The National Executive Board has called for a nationwide overtime ban effective May 23 at 12:00 am local time.  That means members are being called on to refuse to work any more than eight hours in a day and refuse to work more than forty hours in a week.

CUPW offered a truce of two (2) 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. At this time, the Union has decided to proceed with an overtime ban to minimize disruptions to the public, and lost days to members. Should Canada Post agree to the conditions of the truce prior to midnight, the overtime ban will not go into effect. Additional actions may take place in the future including but not limited to: if Canada Post changes our working conditions, suspends our benefits, or begin 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With the urban collective agreement no longer in effect, we have the right not to take overtime, even if your supervisor says it’s forced overtime – because forced overtime was enabled by the collective agreement. The Negotiators continue to review and analyze the content of the Global Offers and will provide more details soon.

What it Means For You:

Work to a maximum of eight hours in a day, forty hours in a week.

Letter Carriers are to return to the depot and drop off their mail after eight hours’ work, regardless of whether they have completed their routes.

All RSMCs are to return to the depot and drop off their mail after eight hours’ work, regardless of whether they have completed their duties.

Part time and temporary workers are permitted to extend, to a maximum of 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week.

This is a legal strike action.  All CUPW members must follow this direction.

You cannot be disciplined for participating in a legal strike action. 

How to Proceed:

When you hit the maximum in a day or in a week, just say no. Share this information with your co-workers.

Consult with your shop steward or local executive if you’re unsure about something, or if management pressures or harasses you to try to get you to work overtime. We’ll help you enforce our rights.

In solidarity,