12 March, 2021

Dear Member;

One of the tools at our disposal for labour action is "Working to Rule".  In the event that the Union directs its members to employ this tactic, I felt it would be useful to remind all IBEW 2034 members what "working to rule" entails.  The following should help clarify the meaning of working to rule.

What is Working to Rule? 
 
Working to Rule means you work to the rules of your job without cutting corners or taking short cuts.  When you work to rule, you should keep the following in mind:

• Take all of your scheduled coffee breaks and lunch breaks.
• If required to perform the work of a co-worker when they are absent from the workplace, only do so if the responsibility for your work has been removed from you.
• Do not perform any duties that aren’t in your job description.
• Start work at your scheduled time and not before. Do not show up at the workplace ahead of time. Be ready to start at the appointed hour.
• Safety allowing, lay down your tools and stop work at your scheduled time and not a minute earlier or later. (Don’t give Hydro free overtime.)

The purpose of working to rule is to slow down production in the workplace without doing something that could be considered illegal. The following examples should give you a flavour for working to rule:

• Conscientiously complete tailboards even if you are only the only person on a job.
• In a group setting, have someone else check the tailboard for accuracy, and sign it before you present it to the group.
• Make sure that every member of a workgroup reviews the tailboard in its entirety.Review the terminology and definitions that are applicable.
• Make sure you take the time to review corporate policies related to demands being placed upon you as a result of the ongoing strike. (e.g. how to conduct yourself in the event that you encounter a picket line.)
• Take the time to review and share all safe work procedures with the workgroup before beginning a specific task.
• Review all policies related to driving and cell phone usage. Ensure you are driving 10% under the speed limit.
• Take time to carefully check all safety equipment before you use it.
• Conduct a full walk around each time before entering corporate vehicles and check, safety equipment, air brakes, turn signals, headlights, first aid kits, and fire extinguishers etc. before starting any vehicle.
• Make sure driver’s logs are up to date.
• Take all allotted breaks and lunch times at the appointed hour, and make sure that you do not exceed your entitled time.
• Take all entitled breaks during overtime, again keeping to the entitled time only.

 
The foregoing are merely examples of “working to rule”.  The important thing to remember is that “working to rule” means reducing output to only that required by the collective agreement and not going beyond.  Naturally, Hydro’s interpretation will be that you had better fully satisfy the obligations that you have by virtue of the Collective Agreement if you’re going to “work to rule”.  The added stress over these times also makes it even more important to work carefully and cautiously so we can return to our friends and family at the end of the day.

Hopefully, in the event that the Union feels it necessary to invoke "working to rule" as a means of resolving our dispute with Hydro, this explanation and these examples will help you implement this strategy.

In solidarity,

Business Manager
IBEW Local Union 2034