Postal workers on strike in new areas of Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan

There are new Canada Post strikes to mark the start of November in Regina, Hamilton, Ont., North Bay, Ont., La Mauricie, Que., and the Outaouais on Thursday.

Meanwhile, postal workers represented by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers are still on strike in Ottawaas well as the British Columbia cities of Campbell River, Courtenay, Nanaimo and Port Alberni.

About 400 people are expected to hit the picket line by the end of the day in Regina alone.

Local CUPW president William Johnson said members are frustrated with how long negotiations are taking.

He said one of the biggest issues is lack of equality for mail carriers in rural and suburban areas.

"They don't get paid for hours worked, so if they have a route that's evaluated at six hoursand they work nine to 10 hours, they're only paid for their six hours," he said, explaining that urban workers are entitled to overtime right now.

Wednesday's strikes on P.E.I., in the Renfrewarea of eastern Ontario and in other Quebec communities such as St-Jrme and Valleyfieldhave ended.

These rotating strikes started Oct. 22, with CUPW'sapproximately 50,000 members trying to also improve job security andhealth and safety.

Canada Post has saidit remains committed to reaching a negotiated settlement, while at the same time making every effort to minimize the impact of any disruption on the customers it serves.

Thursday also marks the start of a national overtime ban, according to the union, which is asking its members to work no longer than eight hours a day and 40 hours a week.

"We can show Canada Post just what it's like to run the postal service without relying on overtime it can be done, and it can create jobs," the union said in a news release.

"During the strike period, Canada Post will try to use overtime to clear backlogs and undermine the effectiveness of our strike action. We won't co-operate with that."