Silke Mayr Government Steps In to Resolve Postal Dispute
The Canadian government is acting to end a month-long postal strike that disrupted mail delivery nationwide. Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon ordered the Canadian Industrial Relations Board to send workers back if no agreement is reached. This measure aims to restore mail services before the holiday season.
About 55,000 postal workers started striking on 15 November over pay and working conditions. Negotiations between the two sides have stalled, with federal mediators reporting major differences.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) condemned the government’s move. They called it an “attack on our constitutional right to collectively bargain and strike.”
Canada Post supported the government’s action, expressing hope for a return to normal operations. It said it remains committed to negotiating an agreement 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 significantly affected businesses during the peak holiday shopping period. Delivery delays have raised shipping costs and created inventory backlogs in warehouses. Lorne James, an Ontario business owner, warned that disruptions could “wipe out many businesses” due to financial losses.
Northern Canadian communities, which rely solely on Canada Post for deliveries, have been hit the hardest. Residents face delays receiving essential items like medicine and cheque payments. Service Canada also withheld 85,000 passports and other critical documents during the strike.
Minister MacKinnon defended the government’s decision, stating that “Canadians are rightly fed up” with the strike. He acknowledged it was a difficult decision but deemed it necessary. The order requires employees to return under their current agreement until 22 May, by which time a new deal is expected.
CUPW has demanded a 19% wage increase over four years, far above Canada Post’s 11.5% offer. The union also seeks better benefits, sick leave, job conditions, and security. CUPW president Jan Simpson accused Canada Post of delaying negotiations to trigger government intervention. Canada Post countered by claiming the union increased its demands instead of compromising.
Canada Post warned that delivery backlogs would persist even after the strike ends. It has already seen revenue losses, as customers switched to private services or stopped using its services.
The last Canada Post strike, in October 2018, lasted over a month. It ended when the federal government legislated workers back to their jobs. That strike cost Canada Post about C$135 million ($96.7m; £76.27m) in losses.