Government Intervention in Postal Strike
The Canadian government is moving to end a month-long postal strike affecting mail delivery across the country. Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon directed the Canadian Industrial Relations Board to send workers back to their jobs if no agreement is reached soon. This action aims to resolve the disruption before the holiday season.
Around 55,000 postal workers began striking on 15 November over pay and working conditions. Despite ongoing negotiations, both sides remain far from a resolution. Federal mediators reported that talks have stalled due to significant differences in positions.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) strongly criticized the government’s intervention. In a statement, CUPW called it an “assault on our constitutionally protected right to collectively bargain and to strike.”
Canada Post welcomed the move, expressing hope to resume normal operations. It stated its commitment to negotiate an agreement that addresses employee needs while ensuring essential postal services for Canadians. The Canadian Industrial Relations Board is expected to decide on Minister MacKinnon’s request next week.
Impact of the Strike on Businesses and Communities
The strike has significantly affected businesses during the critical holiday shopping period. Delivery delays have led to higher shipping costs and inventory backlogs in warehouses nationwide. Lorne James, a business owner from Ontario, warned that these disruptions could “wipe out a good number of businesses” due to financial losses.
Communities in northern Canada, where Canada Post is the only mail delivery provider, have been hit hard. Residents face delays in receiving essential supplies like medicine and cheque payments. Service Canada has also withheld the delivery of 85,000 passports and other important documents during the strike.
Minister MacKinnon defended the government’s order, stating that “Canadians are rightly fed up” with the ongoing strike. He emphasized that this decision was not taken lightly but deemed it necessary under the circumstances. The order requires employees to return to work under their existing agreement until 22 May, by which time the minister expects a new agreement to be in place.
CUPW has been pushing for a 19% wage increase over four years, far higher than Canada Post’s offer of 11.5%. The union also demands improvements in benefits, sick leave, job conditions, and security. CUPW president Jan Simpson accused Canada Post of stalling negotiations to provoke government intervention. Canada Post countered by accusing the union of escalating demands instead of compromising.
When the strike began, Canada Post warned that delivery disruptions would persist even after a resolution due to the backlog. The ongoing strike has already impacted Canada Post’s revenue, as customers have turned to private delivery services or stopped using its services entirely.
The last Canada Post strike occurred in October 2018 and lasted over a month. It ended when the federal government legislated workers back to their jobs. That strike cost Canada Post approximately C$135 million ($96.7m; £76.27m) in losses.