Ottawa orders Canada Post to return to work in time for Christmas

The federal government has ordered Canada Post employees to return to work after nearly a month of strikes, with the mandate extending until May 22, 2025, under their existing collective agreement. Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon announced the decision on Friday, less than two weeks before Christmas, citing the need to "protect the public interest" and "maintain industrial peace."

"Canadians are fed up," MacKinnon stated, explaining that the prolonged labor dispute had reached an "impasse" after nearly a month of strikes and over a year of negotiations. Using powers under the Canada Labour Code, the minister has requested the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to enforce a return to work, potentially as early as next week.

Impact on Canadians

The strike, involving around 55,000 unionized postal workers, began on November 15 and caused significant disruptions in mail and parcel delivery. Many Canadians faced difficulties obtaining passports, government documents, and holiday purchases, particularly impacting small businesses and their customers during the busy shopping season.

"I'm a dad. I'm someone who is very familiar with the hopes of Canadian children and Canadian families, and [...] obviously, it's Christmas," MacKinnon said during his press briefing, acknowledging the timing of his decision.

Broader Context of Government Intervention

This marks the third time this year that Ottawa has intervened in labor disputes, following similar actions with railway workers and port employees in Montreal, Quebec, and British Columbia.

Inquiry into the Labor Dispute and Canada Post's Business Model

The federal government has also initiated an industrial inquiry into the dispute, led by mediator William Kaplan. The inquiry, set to report by spring, will not only address the labor conflict but also examine Canada Post's business model. This includes proposals for weekend parcel deliveries to boost revenue, which failed to gain consensus on working conditions.

Federal mediation between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) had been suspended for two weeks. The union’s most recent proposal included a 19% wage increase over four years, while Canada Post offered an 11.5% increase over the same period.

Continued Union Advocacy

On Thursday, New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh showed support for postal workers by visiting a picket line in Ottawa, vowing to "keep up the fight." Despite the return-to-work order, the government hopes the mediator's intervention will help resolve the situation by spring.

This latest development reflects ongoing challenges in balancing labor rights with public services, particularly during critical periods like the holiday season.