Feds direct labour board to intervene in Canada Post strike

The federal government is asking the Canada Industrial Relations Board to order about 55,000 striking Canada Post employees back to work.

Federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon says negotiations between the Crown corporation and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers are at an impasse and that Canadians are fed up.

He says if the board agrees the two sides are at a standstill, union members will be told to return to work until May, while an inquiry is launched to determine why the two sides cannot come to an agreement.

Key issues in the strike include wages, job security and how to staff a proposed expansion into weekend delivery.

Mackinnon says people across the country — especially small businesses, people in remote communities and Indigenous people — have been significantly impacted as a result of the nearly month-long strike.

He says the board has been asked to make a decision quickly and he hopes that mail will be delivered again beginning next week.

A spokesperson for Canada Post says it’s reviewing the details of MacKinnon’s announcement to ensure it is prepared to “fully participate in the process and comply with the minister’s directive.”

“While that unfolds, we look forward to welcoming our employees back to work and serving Canadians and customers,” reads a statement issued by Canada Post Friday afternoon.

“We will take all appropriate steps to support that process as quickly as possible given the direction provided to us by the minister.”

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