Canada Post services to continue with possible delays as union initiates overtime ban

The union representing approximately 55,000 Canada Post employees has called for an overtime ban as negotiators review the latest offers from the company.

The overtime ban means that workers are being told to refuse any work beyond eight hours a day and 40 hours per week. This is considered legal strike action, but no rotating strikes or work stoppage is taking place yet.

For now, Canadians can still expect to receive their mail and packages, but Canada Post is warning about possible delays.

Union representatives were looking for Canada Post to agree to a two-week “truce” to continue negotiations, but they said the company has refused.

To minimize disruption to the public and lost days to workers, they opted for the overtime ban rather than a complete shutdown.

The decision came after the two sides failed to reach a deal during a last-minute meeting yesterday. Canada Post says the meeting lasted less than a half hour.

On Wednesday, the company presented new global offers – including a wage increase of over 13 per cent over four years. The union says the offer fell short, as they are looking for a 19 per cent wage hike to keep up with inflation.

It’s still unclear how strike action could escalate, but Canada Post says they will keep the public updated.

READ MORE: Canada Post makes new offers to workers ahead of strike deadline