Ottawa is getting involved in the Canada Post strike – now into its 29th day.
Federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon stated the two sides are at an impasse and he’s applying a solution.
“I have asked the Canada Industrial Relations Board if they also determine that there is an impasse to order Canada Post and all employees represented by CUPW to resume their operations and duties ands to extend the terms of their existing collective agreements until May 22nd 2025.”
MacKinnon says an industrial inquiry commission will be formed and will dig into the structural issues preventing the labour dispute from being resolved.
MacKinnon says an industrial inquiry commission will be formed and will dig into the structural issues preventing the labour dispute from being resolved.
In the statement, MacKinnon noted the work stoppage has had a significant impact on small businesses, charities, seniors as well as Indigenous Peoples.
The strike began on Nov. 15, after the union said it made little progress after a year of bargaining.
The 55,000 employees who are part of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) want better wages, safe working conditions, the right to retire with dignity, and the expansion of services at the public post office.
Since the announcement was made, the postal workers union has issued a statement voicing its displeasure of the recent developments:
Today, the Union has learned that the Minister of Labour is using his powers under Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to direct the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to determine whether Canada Post and CUPW can negotiate collective agreements in the near future.
The CIRB will hear from the parties as soon as possible. If the CIRB determines the parties cannot reach agreements, the CIRB will order the Union back to work.
The Union denounces in the strongest terms this assault on our constitutionally protected right to collectively bargain and to strike.
This order continues a deeply troubling pattern in which the government uses its arbitrary powers to let employers off the hook, drag their feet, and refuse to bargain in good faith with workers and their unions.
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