Labour minister says Canada Post workers could soon be forced back to work

Canada’s labour minister has asked the industrial relations board to review the state of negotiations between Canada Post and its union and, if it sees fit, to order striking postal workers back to work.

Postal workers began their strike four weeks ago, halting mail and package deliveries across the country. Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said he hopes work will resume as early as next week.

In simple terms, MacKinnon said he believes negotiations are not working. It will be up to the board to decide if it agrees. If it does, it will force an end to the strike.

If that happens, workers will continue to work under the current collective agreement until May 22, 2025. 

The two parties still have the chance to come to their own agreement, but that will need to happen soon.

Additionally, MacKinnon is ordering an inquiry into the reasons why negotiations fell apart. That inquiry will result in a set of recommendations on how the corporation and its union can negotiate more productively in the future.

“We’re calling a time out,” said MacKinnon. “My bosses are Canadians, and Canadians who are suffering unduly in this dispute.”

MacKinnon said Indigenous peoples and those in remote communities have already suffered as a result of the strike. Holiday revenue streams for small businesses and charities have also been impacted. 

This is a breaking news update. More details to come.