Government Moves to Resolve Strike
The Canadian government aims to end a month-long postal strike affecting national mail deliveries. Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon ordered the Canadian Industrial Relations Board to send workers back if no agreement is reached. The government’s intervention seeks to avoid delivery delays during the holiday season.
About 55,000 postal workers began striking on 15 November over pay and working conditions. Despite negotiations, both sides remain far apart. Federal mediators reported that discussions had stalled due to significant differences.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) criticized the government’s move. CUPW’s statement called it an “assault on our constitutional right to collectively bargain and strike.”
Canada Post supported the intervention, hoping to restore normal operations. It promised to negotiate an agreement addressing employee needs while maintaining essential postal services. The Canadian Industrial Relations Board is expected to rule on Minister MacKinnon’s request next week.
Strike’s Impact on Businesses and Communities
The strike has disrupted businesses during a key shopping period. Delivery delays increased shipping costs and caused inventory backlogs in warehouses. Lorne James, an Ontario business owner, said these disruptions could “wipe out many businesses” due to financial losses.
Northern communities reliant on Canada Post’s sole delivery service faced severe delays. Residents experienced slow access to essential supplies, including medicine and cheque payments. Service Canada also withheld 85,000 passports and important documents during the strike.
Minister MacKinnon defended the government’s action, saying “Canadians are rightly fed up” with the strike. He called it a difficult decision but necessary. The order requires employees to return under their existing agreement until 22 May, allowing time for a new agreement.
CUPW seeks a 19% wage increase over four years, while Canada Post offered 11.5%. The union also demands better benefits, sick leave, job conditions, and security. CUPW president Jan Simpson accused Canada Post of stalling to trigger government intervention. Canada Post accused the union of escalating demands instead of compromising.
Canada Post warned that delivery delays would continue after a settlement due to backlogs. The strike’s financial impact is already felt, with customers switching to private services or stopping usage entirely.
The last Canada Post strike began in October 2018 and lasted over a month. It ended after the federal government ordered employees back to work. That strike cost Canada Post about C$135 million ($96.7m; £76.27m) in losses.
