"Canadians are rightly fed up": Feds order Canada Post strike to end
The federal government is ordering an end to the Canada Post strike that began nearly a month ago.
Minister of Labour Steven MacKinnon announced his decision to invoke his authority under the Canada Labour Code on Friday morning.
“Not only have the parties been able to show any progress towards an agreement, the federal mediator has now informed me that the negotiations between both parties are now, in fact, going in the wrong direction,” he said during a press conference.
“I’m here today to announce that I am applying a solution to promote conditions favourable to the settlement of this labour dispute and protect the interests of all Canadians.”
Over 55,000 employees represented by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) began the nationwide Canada Post strike on November 15.
Daniel Chai/Daily Hive
Earlier this week, MacKinnon advised the postal service and the CUPW to reach a deal after weeks of failed negotiations.
On Wednesday, Canada Post said it reviewed the latest offer from the union and said its demands are “unaffordable and unsustainable” and would cost over $3 billion over four years.
The CUPW’s proposal lowered wage demands from a 24% increase to 19% over four years and included a 20-hour-per-week guarantee for part-time workers.
MacKinnon has called on the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to step in and assess whether the two parties can reach negotiated agreements by the end of 2024.
“If the CIRB considers this unlikely, to order the Canada Post Corporation and all employees represented by CUPW to resume and continue their operations and duties, and to extend the terms of the existing collective agreements until May 22, 2025,” reads a statement from the labour minister.
He added that he hopes mail will begin moving again early next week.
Statement on the dispute between the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) and Canada Post. pic.twitter.com/smxBvQveHq
— Steven MacKinnon (@stevenmackinnon) December 13, 2024
Shortly after MacKinnon’s announcement, the CUPW responded saying “government intervention tramples on workers’ rights.”
“This order continues a deeply troubling pattern in which successive federal governments have used back-to-work legislation or, in this case, its arbitrary powers to let employers off the hook from bargaining in good faith,” reads the statement.
“What employer would move on anything when they know the government will bail them out? Once again, the government has chosen capital over workers by taking away our leverage to get a good deal.”
Canada Post said it’s reviewing the details of the minister’s announcement.
Daniel Chai/Daily Hive
“While that unfolds, we look forward to welcoming our employees back to work and serving Canadians and customers,” reads the statement.
“We will take all appropriate steps to support that process as quickly as possible given the direction provided to us by the Minister.”
MacKinnon said service disruptions resulting from the failed negotiations have significantly impacted Canadians, small businesses, charities, seniors, Indigenous communities, and more remote territories.
“Canadians are rightly fed up,” he said during the press conference.
The Canada Post strike has certainly divided Canadians, with many taking to social media in support of and against the union.
Reactions to the government’s announcements are already pouring in, with many saying it’s “too late.”
Too late.
— CaBird (@Bird5Ca) December 13, 2024
Why bother??? It’s too late to save Christmas for Canadians. Your useless government has ruined everything!
— Kiss My Bass 🎣🐟🐟🎣 (@FishingQueen12) December 13, 2024
There has been no formal mediation since November 28, when the mediator called off talks because the corporation and union were too far apart to reach a deal.