Ottawa is moving forward with back-to-work legislation to bring an end to rotating strikes by postal workers across the country as the busy holiday shopping season ramps up.
Federal Labour Minister Patty Hajdu said that her government has given the House of Commons notice it is prepared to legislate Canada Post employees back to work. Minsiter Hajdu said 48 hours’ notice is required before introducing back-to-work legislation, and stressed that the process has formally begun to end rotating strikes by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), which is the largest of Canada Post's unions.
The government has also reappointed Morton Mitchnick as a special mediator in the labour battle and is pushing for Canada Post and CUPW to enter binding arbitration in their current contract negotiations.
"This is a really busy time of year, people are relying on Canada Post to deliver packages, small and medium-size businesses are relying on Canada Post to have a profitable season, and our economy needs Canada Post to be able to function in a smooth way," said Hajdu.
Canada Post is dealing with a fifth week of rotating strikes by thousands of unionized workers across the country as both sides remain far apart in contract negotiations. Sticking points between the two sides include pay, pensions and health and safety issues.
