Canada’s Labour Minister has asked the industrial relations board to review negotiations between Canada Post and its union.
If needed, the board could order striking postal workers back to work.
The postal workers have been on strike for four weeks, stopping mail and package deliveries nationwide.
Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon says he hopes workers can return as soon as next week. He believes the current talks are not making progress.
The board will decide whether to step in.
If it agrees, the strike will end, and workers will stay on their current contract until May 22, 2025.
Canada Post has issued the following statement:
Canada Post is currently reviewing the details of the Minister of Labour’s announcement this morning to ensure we are 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. We will take all appropriate steps to support that process as quickly as possible given the direction provided to us by the Minister.
Our commitment has always been to reach negotiated agreements with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) that would help us better serve the changing needs of Canadians and provide good jobs to those who provide the service. We remain committed to doing so within this new process while also meeting the postal needs of Canadians.
Details on our start-up plans will be made available at canadapost.ca when finalized.
