Labour minister unveils steps to end Canada Post strike

The Canada Post strike could end as early as next week.

Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said he believes negotiations are not working. It will be up to the Canada Industrial Relations Board to decide if it agrees. If it does, it will force staff to resume work. 

Postal workers began their strike four weeks ago, halting mail and package deliveries across the country. If they’re forced to resume, staff will continue to work under the current collective agreement until May 22, 2025.

The two parties still have the chance to come to their own agreement, but that will need to happen soon.

The union has denounced the move, calling it an “assault” on its bargaining rights. Canada Post said it looks forward to “welcoming our employees back to work.”

‘Calling a time out’

Additionally, MacKinnon is ordering an inquiry into why negotiations fell apart. That inquiry will result in recommendations on how the corporation and its union can negotiate more productively in the future.

“We’re calling a time out,” said MacKinnon.

He says Indigenous peoples and those in remote communities have already suffered as a result of the strike. Holiday revenue streams for small businesses and charities have also been impacted.

“My bosses are Canadians, and Canadians who are suffering unduly in this dispute.”

Canada Post employees and supporters rally at Canada Post headquarters in Ottawa, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (Sean Kilpatrick / The Canadian Press)

What’s the hold up?

Wages, job security and minimum hours are the centrepiece of the negotiating table for the union.

CUPW said it came to the table this week with a downgraded wage hike demand – 19 per cent over four years, down from a previous ask of 24 per cent – and requests for medical days, disability payments and “improved rights” for temporary workers.

Canada Post has said the union’s requests are too expensive, especially after six years of financial losses.

“Added up, all the demands in CUPW’s latest offers would cost more than $3 billion over four years,” reads Canada Post’s most recent negotiations update, published on Wednesday.

Union condemns ‘assault’ on bargaining

The union denounced “in the strongest terms” MacKinnon’s move, calling it an “assault” on its right to bargain and 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,” reads a statement sent to CTVNews.ca.

This is the third time the government has stepped in to strong-arm negotiators this year.

In August, the government forced rail workers back to work after a contract dispute brought trains to a halt on Canada’s two major railways.

Then in November, MacKinnon stuck the Industrial Relations Board on port workers in Vancouver and Montreal.

“Once we receive the order, we will review it and consider every available option moving forward,” the union wrote. 

Canada Post ready to ‘fully’ participate

Canada Post appeared eager to restart work, adding it’s reviewing the terms of MacKinnon’s order to “support that process as quickly as possible.”

“While that unfolds, we look forward to welcoming our employees back to work and serving Canadians and customers,” read a statement distributed to media on Friday.

The company said that it was committed to reaching a deal with the union that would help to serve the “changing needs” while offering “good jobs” to workers.