On Friday, as the national postal strike reaches a record four-week mark, federal Labor Minister Stephen McKinnon announced he will refer the labor dispute between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) to the Canada Industrial Relations Board. .
Here is a brief summary of how we got here.
What led to the strike?
CUPW I said a strike was necessary. Because Canada Post “refuses to negotiate real solutions to the problems postal workers face every day.”
When the strike began, Canada Post warned in a statement “Canadians will experience delays as the holiday shopping season begins.”
When did the strike start?
Friday, November 15th, 12:01am.
Was there ever an intermediary involved?
Federal mediation was put on hold Nov. 27 after a mediator concluded the two sides were too far apart.
What about Ottawa’s involvement?
On Friday, MacKinnon said he would refer the labor dispute to the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB). If the board determines that no agreement has been reached by the end of the year, approximately 55,000 employees could be ordered to return to work under their current contracts until May 22, 2025.
The Obon holidays are in full swing. For some people, Christmas gifts end up being left unfinished, which can be a source of frustration. As CBC’s Leila Beaudoin reports, local retailers are scrambling to get products to customers during what is already the busiest time of the year.
“We declare a timeout,” the minister said on Friday.
“Suffice it to say that the position appears to have hardened and it has become clear that we are at a complete stalemate.”
Meanwhile, Mr McKinnon said he would appoint an industrial inquiry committee to look into the negotiation issues.
It has until May 15 to compile recommendations on how to reach a new agreement.
What about Canada Post Service?
Canada Post has suspended operations during the strike.
McKinnon said he hopes the CIRB will act quickly, noting that if it agrees with his conclusions, it could “order Canada Post to resume operations, as early as early next week.” There is a possibility that it will come true.”
How rare is this type of intervention?
The Ottawa government issued a new labor law on Friday after using the same powers to intervene in disputes at the country’s railways and ports earlier this year, directing the CIRB to order workers back to work and binding arbitration. He took action using Article 107.
The move has sparked legal challenges from relevant unions, and labor experts and advocacy groups say it erodes workers’ bargaining rights.
Alison Braley-Ratai, an associate professor of labor studies at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ont., said the government’s application of Section 107 this time is “more restrictive.”
Was this expected?
Business groups have asked the government to intervene, but Canada Post has not. Until Friday, Mr. McKinnon had insisted he was not considering intervening.
Braley Ratai said she was not surprised that the government had to intervene because the conflict had been “going on for a very long time.”
As the national postal strike reaches a record four weeks, Labor Minister Stephen McKinnon has decided to refer a contract dispute between Canada Post and the union representing striking workers to the Canada Industrial Relations Board. did. Canadian Postal Workers Union President Stephen Gale says it’s extremely frustrating.
Mr McKinnon said the move was a creative solution because it did not move the matter directly into binding arbitration, as the government had done in disputes with railways and ports.
He said while this does not guarantee a deal will be reached by May, he hopes the investigation will show a path forward that works for both Canada Post and its employees. Ta.
What was the reaction from both sides?
CUPW issued a statement condemning McKinnon’s move “in the strongest terms” and calling the decision “an attack on our constitutionally protected rights to collective bargaining and to strike.”
The union said it was reviewing the Labor Minister’s order and considering its options.
Canada Post said: It was reviewing the details of Friday’s announcement “to ensure that we are fully prepared to participate in the process and follow the minister’s instructions.”
Does this mean wages?
The two countries are negotiating on a number of issues, including wages.
CUPW negotiators met with Canada Post on Monday, the first time the two sides have met since the federal government’s mediation efforts were halted. The union said it had made separate demands for urban mail carriers and rural and suburban mail carriers, including: complex requirements For both groups:
- Wages increase by 9 percent, 4 percent, 3 percent, 3 percent over four years.
- This is a subsidy for living expenses.
- 7 days personal leave plus 10 days medical leave.
- Increase short-term disability benefits to 80% of regular wages.
- Improved rights for temporary workers and on-call relief employees.
CUPW national president Jan Simpson said Friday the union has not heard from Canada Post about the revised request. She accused the Crown Corporation of dragging its feet to allow the federal government to intervene.
“Currently, we are internally debating what to do next. But for now, our members remain strong on the picket lines because they want fair wages, they want to retire with dignity, they want health and safety. Because we’re still fighting to get better,” Simpson told CBC News on Friday.
In a statement shared with CBC News, a Canada Post spokesperson said Crown is “very disappointed” with the union’s latest proposal.
Earlier this week, approved by canada post Unions have responded to wage demands, but companies say they still can’t afford them.
