Close X
Sunday, January 5, 2025
ADVT 
National

Postal employees head back to work as union challenges strike intervention

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 17 Dec, 2024 10:54 AM
  • Postal employees head back to work as union challenges strike intervention

Canada Post trucks, conveyors and mail carriers are moving again after a month-long strike by more than 55,000 postal workers left letters and parcels in limbo.

The Canada Industrial Relations Board ordered postal workers back on the job following hearings over the weekend to determine whether the two sides stood too far apart to reach a deal by year's end.

The hearings came after a directive to the labour board from Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon, who said Friday he was giving the two sides a "timeout" as negotiations seemed to have stalled.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers is contesting the move, with the labour board set to hear its challenges in mid-January, the union said.

The government already faces legal challenges to similar interventions in other recent high-profile labour disputes, including the work stoppage at the country's two main freight railways in August.

Canada Post warned this week that customers should expect delays as it works through backlogs, and that holdups could persist into the new year.

"With a large, integrated network of processing plants, depots and post offices, stabilizing operations will take time and the company asks Canadians for their patience," it said in a release Monday.

The first step involves "working through the mail and parcels trapped in the system" since the strike began on Nov. 15.

Post offices will not take new letters and packages until Thursday.

Fredericton resident Jon MacNeill said the 32-day strike "wasn't the end of the world."

"I was happy with waiting until they got back,” he said.

MacNeill said he normally avoids shipping gifts, but plans to send some off this year after some of his family moved to Newfoundland.

“I didn't bother going a private route because my family's pretty flexible .… I think we're fortunate to have public services like this in Canada, and if we don’t use them and support them then we might not always have them.”

While there was no line, a steady stream of people started trickling into the city's downtown post office around 9:30 a.m.

Fellow Frederictonian Mary Bardsley arrived at the building bearing Christmas cards and a Tim Hortons gift card for employees. She said she's not worried about her holiday mail being held up.

“I’ve lived a long life,” Bardsley said with a laugh. “I can cope with almost anything.”

Meanwhile, the dispute continues to simmer between Canada Post and its workers.

Key issues include the size of wage increases and a push by Canada Post to expand delivery to the weekend, with the two sides at odds over how to staff the move.

The money-losing Crown corporation has pitched the expansion as a way to boost revenue and compete with other carriers, arguing that a mix of part-time and full-time shifts will create flexibility while keeping costs down. However, the union has characterized this as an attack on full-time work.

The government has appointed an industrial inquiry commission to look into the sticking points and come up with recommendations by May 15 on how a new agreement can be secured.

"The inquiry will have a broad scope, as it will examine the entire structure of Canada Post from both a customer and business model standpoint, considering the challenging business environment now facing Canada Post," the labour minister said Friday.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Ottawa police use DNA from 1996 murder to identify Vancouver stabbing suspect

Ottawa police use DNA from 1996 murder to identify Vancouver stabbing suspect
Ottawa police say 73-year-old Lawrence Diehl was taken into custody by Vancouver police on Dec. 10 and returned to Ottawa, and he's accused of second-degree murder in the death of Christopher Smith on April 12, 1996. 

Ottawa police use DNA from 1996 murder to identify Vancouver stabbing suspect

Historic plane's final trip to U.S. interrupted by emergency landing near Victoria

Historic plane's final trip to U.S. interrupted by emergency landing near Victoria
The Victoria Airport Authority confirmed the Philippine Mars, one of two remaining aircraft of its kind, had to land at the airport's water aerodrome at Patricia Bay on Sunday due to mechanical problems. 

Historic plane's final trip to U.S. interrupted by emergency landing near Victoria

Ottawa promises $1.3 billion for border security as U.S. tariff threat looms

Ottawa promises $1.3 billion for border security as U.S. tariff threat looms
The federal government is promising to spend $1.3 billion over six years to beef up Canada’s border security but still won't say exactly how that money will be spent. The figures are part of the government's fall economic statement which was tabled in the House of Commons this afternoon in Ottawa.

Ottawa promises $1.3 billion for border security as U.S. tariff threat looms

Al Raine, only mayor of Sun Peaks dead at the age of 83

Al Raine, only mayor of Sun Peaks dead at the age of 83
Al Raine, the only mayor of Sun Peaks Resort Municipality and husband of champion skier Nancy Greene Raine, has died at the age of 83. Raine issued a statement on Saturday, saying that as of midnight he would resign as Sun Peaks mayor, saying it wasn't something he wanted to do but his illness was growing more difficult. 

Al Raine, only mayor of Sun Peaks dead at the age of 83

Wind warning issued for coastal BC

Wind warning issued for coastal BC
Environment Canada has issued a wind warning for northern coastal regions of B-C, including Prince Rupert and Portland Inlet. It says a building ridge of high pressure over the Interior of B-C will push arctic air and strong winds through inlets and valleys starting tonight, with gusts up to 100 kilometres an hour expected.

Wind warning issued for coastal BC

Man stabbed in Port Alberni

Man stabbed in Port Alberni
Mounties in Port Alberni say a man remains in critical condition after being stabbed in the city this weekend. They say officers responded to a call around 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and arrived to find the injured victim. 

Man stabbed in Port Alberni