Poll Shows Canadians Support Government Intervention in Canada Post and Port Labour Disputes

A recent survey indicates that Canadians are in favor of government involvement in labor disputes at ports and Canada Post.

The polling firm Leger discovered that 63 percent of respondents support the Liberal government’s decision to intervene and request the Canada Industrial Relations Board to mandate a resumption of port operations and move negotiations to binding arbitration. Nineteen percent opposed this action, while another 19 percent were unsure.

Regarding the ongoing Canada Post strike, 57 percent of respondents expressed support for the government taking similar action. Twenty-one percent were against it, and 22 percent were undecided.

Approximately 55,000 employees represented by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers have been on strike since Friday, causing operations to cease and deliveries to halt. The federal government has appointed its top mediator to assist in reaching a new agreement.

Labor Minister Steve MacKinnon ruled out early intervention in the postal strike on Friday.

Earlier in the week, MacKinnon intervened to resolve the port disputes in B.C. and Montreal, where port workers were locked out, halting cargo container movements from two of the country’s busiest ports.

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Leger surveyed 1,529 individuals from Nov. 15 to 17. The poll does not provide a margin of error as online polls are not considered fully random samples.

When asked, 51 percent of respondents believed that port operations should be deemed essential services and not subject to disruption, while 32 percent felt that port workers should be allowed to strike to enhance working conditions.

The unions representing Montreal and B.C. port workers have vowed to challenge the minister’s intervention in court.

Canadians were more informed about the Canada Post strike than the port lockout, with 86 percent aware of potential postal worker walkouts versus 67 percent knowledgeable about the port dispute.

Sixty-one percent of those surveyed expressed concern about possible mail service disruptions due to a postal strike, and 57 percent worried about delays during the holiday season.

Similarly, 56 percent voiced support for the demands of Canada Post workers, while 29 percent opposed them. The union is requesting a cumulative wage increase of 24 percent over four years, opposed to Canada Post’s offer of an 11.5 percent raise. Other topics of contention include job security, benefits, and weekend parcel delivery contracts.