Labour Minister Intervenes in Canada Post Strike

Canada’s Labour Minister, Steven MacKinnon, stated Friday that he had directed the Canada Industrial Relations Board to return Canada Post employees to work.

The Labour Minister moved Friday using section 107 of the Labour Code, having used the same powers earlier this year to intervene in disputes at the country’s railways and ports. The board was directed to order workers back to work and to order binding arbitration.

A federally appointed mediator withdrew two weeks ago, saying the two sides were too far apart to make a deal.

MacKinnon stated that if the Canada Industrial Relations Board deems negotiations between Canada Post and the CUPW have reached an impasse, striking workers will be forced to return to work under the existing collective agreement until May 22, 2025.

He stated that the government cannot or should not take lightly adopting back-to-work legislation, but 1.65 million pieces of personal communication are awaiting delivery. The back-to-work order might come as early as next week.

This intervention by the Labour Minister may also put political pressure on the Trudeau government, as NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, who has kept the Liberals in power, warned against back-to-work legislation in November.

Singh, speaking at a labour convention in Saint John’s, said, “I want to also put this on record for Justin Trudeau: If you bring back-to-work legislation, even if it’s a confidence vote, I will be voting against it, and my team will be voting against it because we oppose back-to-work legislation; we’re always going to defend Canada Post workers.”

NDP Behind Canada Post Workers

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh stated today on the NDP website that Justin Trudeau and his Liberal caucus have been sending a message to employers for years that they do not need to negotiate, that they can act in bad faith, and that the federal government will use its powers to return Canada Post workers to work.

That is wrong, a violation of workers’ rights, and it must stop. A New Democrat government will change the Canadian Labour Code to eliminate the prospect of Liberals and Conservatives exploiting workers.

Workers at Canada Post are fighting for fair salaries, safe working conditions, and the ability to retire with dignity, all of which are essential rights that all workers deserve.

They are also battling for the future of the public post office. Instead of using their position to ensure worker respect and service improvement,

Justin Trudeau and the Liberals have supported Canada Post management and its allies in their efforts to shut post offices, reduce job opportunities, and make it more difficult to receive mail.

Canada Post is a public service that should not be privatized so that the wealthy might become richer.

It belongs to all of us. An NDP government will not allow it to happen.

We will always support the workers who maintain the postal services that Canadians rely on, and we will continue to fight for a negotiated settlement for CUPW members that ensures decent Canada Post jobs.

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