Gov’t orders postal workers back to work!
Sophie Demers
Local Journalism Initiative
OTTAWA – Backed by a decision from the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon has invoked his powers under the labour code to order striking postal workers back to work. Canada Post operations resumed at 8 am on Tuesday, December 17.
At a press conference on December 13, MacKinnon stated that negotiations between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) had made little progress, with the federal mediator reporting that talks were going in the “wrong way.”
Two days of hearings were held by the CIRB, who concluded that
the parties are at an impasse in their negotiations. “I have asked the CIRB to extend the terms of the existing collective agreements until May 22, 2025. During this time, an Industrial Inquiry Commission will be established,” said MacKinnon.
The inquiry report is due on May 15, 2025. “The review could provide the basis of a path forward on how to amend the collective agreements and clarify the structures, rights, and responsibilities of the parties in collective bargaining,” said MacKinnon.
Canada Post responded to the news, “We are prepared to fully participate in the process and comply with the Minister’s directive. While that unfolds, we look forward to welcoming our employees back to work and serving Canadians and customers. We will take all appropriate steps to support that process as quickly as
possible given the direction provided to us by the Minister. Our commitment has always been to reach negotiated agreements with the CUPW that would help us better serve the changing needs of Canadians and provide good jobs to those who provide the service.”
CUPW issued a statement denouncing MacKinnon’s decision. “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. 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,” said Jan Simpson,
CUPW National President.
In a December 15 press release, Canada Post stated that the returning employees will receive a retroactive pay increase of five percent, dating back to the expiry of the collective agreements (December 31, 2023 for Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers (RSMC) and January 31, 2024 for the urban unit). All regular full-time and part-time employees will be receiving a $1,000 payment before Christmas, with the remainder of the retroactive pay forwarded by the end of January. Temporary employees will receive $500, based on a minimum number of hours.
On November 15, approximately 55,000 CUPW members nationwide went on strike after
a year of union bargaining with Canada Post.
Most mail and packages have not been delivered during the strike, affecting millions across the country. Canada Post noted that even after the strike ends, it will take time for services to return to normal due to the backlog.
Originally, CUPW demanded a 24% wage increase over four years but recently amended their demand to 19%. Canada Post, which has faced financial losses for the past seven years, said this demand is still too high and would cost the crown corporation billions over the coming years. The postal service offered an 11.5% wage increase over the same period, which was rejected.
In addition to wage increases, CUPW’s demands include more job security, protection from technological advances, higher short-term disability payments, a cost-of-living allowance, a 20-hour minimum schedule for part-time workers in urban areas, and overall better working conditions. The union is also asking for 10 medical days in addition to the 7 personal days outlined in the collective agreement.
