Canada Post and the Union Present Arguments at Labour Board Hearings

Canada Post and the union representing striking workers participated in weekend hearings conducted by the country’s labour board to determine if an impasse had been reached.

With the work stoppage now entering its fourth week, the Crown corporation stated that it would inform Canadians promptly when its operations resume.

The hearings occurred in Ottawa over the weekend, as confirmed by a Canada Post spokesperson.

There is a possibility of mail services resuming early this week across the nation following the government’s efforts on Friday to end the work stoppage at Canada Post.

Labout Minister Steven MacKinnon instructed the Canada Industrial Relations Board to mandate the 55,000 striking employees to return to work within days if a feasible agreement cannot be reached by the end of the year.

The minister’s directive also included an extension of the contract between the Crown corporation and its employees until late May.

Canada Post refrained from explicitly stating to the board over the weekend whether they believed the negotiations had reached an impasse despite both sides bargaining in good faith, hinting at a potential resumption of mail services this week.

A federally appointed mediator withdrew two weeks ago, citing significant differences between the two parties that hindered a possible agreement.

Amid the holiday season’s peak shopping period, business entities had been urging the government to intervene as they struggled with finding alternate delivery options.

The labour minister’s office mentioned that a decision from the labour board is anticipated on Monday or Tuesday, emphasizing that the ruling lies outside the government’s jurisdiction.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers organized a rally outside Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland’s office in Toronto on Monday morning, supported by the Toronto & York Region Labour Council.

The council condemned MacKinnon’s intervention, labeling it a blatant infringement of workers’ rights, echoing the union’s criticism from the previous week.

Ottawa invoked section 107 of the Labour Code to issue its directive on Friday, employing the same method used earlier this year in resolving disputes in the country’s railways and ports.

Responding to the situation, MacKinnon described the action as a temporary measure, avoiding immediate binding arbitration that was utilized in previous conflicts.

Canada Post, which did not request federal intervention, reiterated its commitment to reaching negotiated agreements with the union and fulfilling the postal needs of Canadians.

The union has not yet provided a response to requests for comments.