December 2024: Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon has announced a “time-out” in the ongoing Canada Post strike, which has led to tensions between the union and the government. Union negotiator Jim Gallant expressed frustration, saying the government is treating them unfairly.
MacKinnon has asked the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to step in, as the negotiations have reached an impasse. If no agreement is reached, the CIRB could order the union back to work, extending the current contract until May 2025. Gallant warned that this could cause more disruptions if a new strike happens.
The dispute has lasted over four weeks, with little progress since formal mediation ended. While the union has lowered its wage demands, Canada Post argues they are still too high given the financial losses it faces. In the past, the federal government intervened in similar strikes, and the union now feels this latest intervention is hindering fair negotiations.
Canada Post has expressed a willingness to work with the CIRB and hopes to resolve the issue and bring employees back to work soon.
