Canada’s labour minister has asked the industrial relations board to step into the nearly month-long strike by Canada Post workers.
“The federal mediator has now informed me that the negotiations between both parties are now, in fact, going in the wrong direction,” Steven MacKinnon told reporters on Friday.
Steven MacKinnon wants the board to assess whether the two sides can reach an agreement before the end of the year.
If the board considers this unlikely, he wants it to order the striking employees back to work and to extend the terms of the current collective agreements until May 22, 2025.
The minister said he would also appoint an Industrial Inquiry Commission to examine the issues preventing the two sides from reaching an agreement.
“Canadians cannot continue to bear the consequences of this impasse. Our priority is to restore postal services while ensuring a fair balance between the rights of workers, those of the employer, but also those of Canadians,” said MacKinnon.
He noted that the service disruptions are having a “significant impact” on many, particularly small businesses, charities, seniors, Indigenous Peoples and those in remote communities.
Union ‘considering its options’ moving forward
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) denounced the labour minister’s actions, calling it an “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,” CUPW said in a statement.
The union said it is currently reviewing the order and “considering its options” moving forward.
Canada Post reviewing details of announcement
Canada Post said it is reviewing the details of the minister’s announcement to ensure it is fully prepared to participate in the process.
“While that unfolds, we look forward to welcoming our employees back to work and serving Canadians and customers,” the corporation said in a statement.
“Our commitment has always been to reach negotiated agreements with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) that would help us better serve the changing needs of Canadians and provide good jobs to those who provide the service.
“We remain committed to doing so within this new process while also meeting the postal needs of Canadians.
Details about any start-up plans for Canada Post have not been finalized.
Growing tensions
Canada Post workers walked off the job four weeks ago on Nov. 15. Since then, tensions have grown between the employer and the union.
Earlier this week, Canada Post accused the union of taking major steps backward in negotiations.
The company claimed that CUPW is either reverting to their previous positions or increasing their demands.
It said the union’s latest demands are unaffordable and unsustainable, and would cost more than $3 billion over four years.
CUPW disputed the claims by Canada Post, arguing their proposals seek to bring the parties closer to negotiated agreements.
The union had also dropped its wage demands to 19 per cent over four years instead of 24 per cent. Canada Post is offering an 11.5 per cent increase over that same period.
