OTTAWA—Minister of Labour Steve MacKinnon ordered Canada Post and CUPW, the union representing the workers, to appear before the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to determine if the two parties can reach a settlement before the end of 2024. It was determined that the answer is no, so the Crown Corporation and workers was to be ordered back to work on Tuesday and the current collective bargaining agreement extended until May 2025 while they work things out.
The union has expressed outrage over the order. “We denounce in the strongest terms this assault on our constitutionally protected right to free and fair collective bargain and our right to strike,” reads a statement released by the union.
“While this process is ongoing, there is no change to the current labour situation and our operations remain closed,” reads a statement from Canada Post. “We will notify customers, employees and all Canadians as quickly as possible when it’s time for postal operations to resume. We look forward to welcoming our employees back to work and serving the millions of Canadians and businesses who rely on the postal service.”
There is quite a bit riding on this decision by the federal government, as the NDP who have supported the Liberal minority government have indicated they will pull support should the government order the workers off the picket line.
