Local Bulletin
Dear Members,
As you know, the Union has issued a 72-hour strike notice, set to take effect at the earliest on Thursday night at 11 pm. Canada Post responded with their own lockout notice just hours later, effective Friday at 7 am at the earliest. However, both parties have expressed commitment to negotiating a resolution at the table and have indicated they do not intend to use these measures if a fair agreement can be reached.
Yet, we must be prepared in case action is taken.
In a recent national broadcast, Canada Post spokesperson Jon Hamilton confirmed that the lockout notice was intended solely to enforce potential new working conditions outlined by Canada Post on November 12th. This threat to the current terms of our collective agreement is a reaction to the possibility of rotating strikes, which remain a potential union strategy.
Many of our members who have experienced past work stoppages recognize this tactic. It is designed to apply pressure and discourage rotating strikes, yet it’s worth noting that not all threatened conditions typically come to pass. This is only relevant during rotating strikes, as we are still being paid to work while our members elsewhere engage in strike action on a rotating basis.
If Canada Post proceeds, the bare minimum conditions they can enforce fall under the Canada Labour Code, which still protects essential rights such as sick leave, personal leave, and the 8-hour workday, among others.
Be cautious of any rumors or misinformation circulated by Canada Post Management. They have already made claims that haven’t materialized. For accurate, real-time updates, rely on our text tree, which is our official channel for any strike-related communication. This will be our primary (and official) way of sharing updates, supplemented by information on our Facebook page, website, and other channels. If you haven’t signed up for the Text Tree, please do so now to stay informed.
Unless there’s an unexpected lockout that requires us to form a picket line immediately, you will be notified of any Strike action through the text tree. Continue to report to work as usual unless instructed otherwise. When a picket line is in place, never cross it. Always report to your picket captain, who will monitor attendance and picket activity.
There is no need to worry about these potential changes until they become reality. We are monitoring the situation closely and will keep you updated as things evolve. And remember, the picket line isn’t something to fear. It’s a place of unity, camaraderie, and support. We’re here to ensure it’s a positive and energized environment.
We are all in this together. Local 824 stands firmly behind each of you, ready to support any member for any reason. With solidarity and determination, we can succeed in our fight for fair wages, benefits, and working conditions — with no rollbacks for current members and no new substandard conditions for future employees.
Sincerely, and in solidarity,
Your Local 824 Executive Committee