Federal government orders an end to Canada Post strike

The federal government is ordering an end to the Canada Post strike that began nearly a month ago.

Minister of Labour Steven MacKinnon announced his decision to invoke his authority under the Canada Labour Code on Friday morning.

“Not only have the parties been able to show any progress towards an agreement, the federal mediator has now informed me that the negotiations between both parties are now, in fact, going in the wrong direction,” he said during a press conference.

“I’m here today to announce that I am applying a solution to promote conditions favourable to the settlement of this labour dispute and protect the interests of all Canadians.”

Over 55,000 employees represented by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) began the nationwide Canada Post strike on November 15.

Earlier this week, MacKinnon advised the postal service and the CUPW to reach a deal after weeks of failed negotiations.

On Wednesday, Canada Post said it reviewed the latest offer from the union and said its demands are “unaffordable and unsustainable” and would cost over $3 billion over four years.

The CUPW’s proposal lowered wage demands from a 24% increase to 19% over four years and included a 20-hour-per-week guarantee for part-time workers.

MacKinnon has called on the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to step in and assess whether the two parties can reach negotiated agreements by the end of 2024.

“If the CIRB considers this unlikely, to order the Canada Post Corporation and all employees represented by CUPW to resume and continue their operations and duties, and to extend the terms of the existing collective agreements until May 22, 2025,” reads a statement from the labour minister.

He added that he hopes mail will begin moving again early next week.

Statement on the dispute between the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) and Canada Post. pic.twitter.com/smxBvQveHq

— Steven MacKinnon (@stevenmackinnon) December 13, 2024

MacKinnon said service disruptions resulting from the failed negotiations have significantly impacted Canadians, small businesses, charities, seniors, Indigenous communities, and more remote territories.

“Canadians are rightly fed up,” he said during the press conference.

The Canada Post strike has certainly divided Canadians, with many taking to social media in support of and against the union.

Reactions to the government’s announcements are already pouring in, with many saying it’s “too late.”

There has been no formal mediation since November 28, when the mediator called off talks because the corporation and union were too far apart to reach a deal.