Steven MacKinnon, the Federal Minister of Labour and Seniors in Canada, has issued a statement on the dispute between the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) and Canada Post.
“The Government of Canada places great importance on collective bargaining as the preferred means of resolving the disagreements between employers and workers,” MacKinnon said.
“However, the ongoing conflict between the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) and Canada Post has reached a critical point. The service disruptions resulting from this conflict are having a significant impact on Canadians, small businesses, charities, seniors, Indigenous Peoples as well as more remote territories and communities. This is particularly difficult during this period when many people rely on postal services to receive essential parcels such as medications, and official documents.”
MacKinnon added: “After months of conciliation and mediation supported by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), work stoppages and the subsequent appointment of a special mediator to assist with the negotiation of their new collective agreements, Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) remain at an impasse and are unable to reach agreements.”
MacKinnon added he therefore has invoked his authorities under the Canada Labour Code (the Code) to promote conditions favourable to the settlement of this labour dispute and protect the interests of all Canadians.
“I have asked the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to assess the likelihood of the parties reaching negotiated agreements by the end of 2024 under the current circumstances, and 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,” MacKinnon stated.
“While this provides a temporary solution, the Government’s priority is to get the parties back on track to resolve the dispute and reach agreements. To that end, I will appoint an Industrial Inquiry Commission (IIC) to examine the issues preventing the resolution of the current labour dispute. I will direct the Commissioner to provide recommendations by May 15, 2025, on how new collective bargaining agreements can be reached.”
MacKinnon added: “Canadians cannot continue to bear the consequences of this impasse. Our priority is to restore postal services while ensuring a fair balance between the rights of workers, those of the employer, but also those of Canadians. I would like to remind all parties that cooperation and good faith are essential to resolving this conflict and ensuring a sustainable future for Canada Post and its employees. The government remains committed to supporting the parties in overcoming obstacles and finding negotiated solutions that benefit everyone.”
Meanwhile, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has denounced the government intervention.
“Today, the Union has learned that the Minister of Labour is using his powers under Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to direct the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to determine whether Canada Post and CUPW can negotiate collective agreements in the near future,” union officials stated on Friday, December 13, 2024.
“The CIRB will hear from the parties as soon as possible. If the CIRB determines the parties cannot reach agreements, the CIRB will order the Union back to work. The Union denounces in the strongest terms this assault on our constitutionally protected right to collectively bargain and to strike. This order continues a deeply troubling pattern in which the government uses its arbitrary powers to let employers off the hook, drag their feet, and refuse to bargain in good faith with workers and their unions.”
Union officials added “This is a rapidly developing situation, and we have not had time to review all of the details. The Union is currently reviewing the order and considering all of its options moving forward.”
Some 55,000 postal workers represented by CUPW went on a nationwide strike on Friday, November 15 at 12:01 a.m.
