The month-long Canada Post strike is officially set to conclude on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, following an order from the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) mandating postal workers to return to work. The announcement was made by Canada Post on Sunday night, bringing an end to a labor dispute that has disrupted mail services across the country for over a month.
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Postal Operations to Resume on December 17
Canada Post confirmed in a statement that postal operations would resume at 8 a.m. local time on Tuesday.
“After two days of hearings, the CIRB has issued its ruling confirming the parties are at an impasse,” said Canada Post.
Despite the announcement, postal service will remain suspended on Monday, marking the 32nd day of the strike. The Crown corporation expressed optimism about welcoming employees back and resuming service for Canadians and businesses. Detailed updates on the resumption of operations are expected to be shared later on Monday.
Government Intervention and CIRB Decision
Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon played a key role in resolving the deadlock, requesting the CIRB on Friday to order workers back on the job if it deemed negotiations at an impasse.
“This is not a decision I take lightly,” MacKinnon said, emphasizing the need to “call a time out.”
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday morning, MacKinnon revealed that the CIRB ordered an extension of the current collective agreements and mandated the resumption of operations.
The CIRB ruling also includes the establishment of an Industrial Inquiry Commission to address structural issues within the labor dispute. The commission will issue a report by May 15, 2025, which is expected to serve as a foundation for negotiating future collective agreements.
Key Issues in the Strike
The strike, which began on November 15, involved more than 55,000 Canada Post workers represented by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW). The union was pushing for:
- Wage increases
- Improved pensions
- Enhanced health benefits
Canada Post revealed that the terms of the existing collective agreements would be extended until May 22, 2025. Additionally, the corporation proposed a 5% wage increase retroactive to the expiration of the agreements.
- Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers (RSMC): Agreement expired on December 31, 2023.
- Urban Mail Carriers: Agreement expired on January 31, 2024.
The union has not yet commented on the CIRB order, but it previously criticized the government’s intervention, calling it “an assault on the constitutionally protected right to free and fair collective bargaining.”
Historical Context of Government Intervention
The federal government has a history of intervening in Canada Post labor disputes, using back-to-work legislation in 2018 and 2011 to restore essential services. Ottawa had initially resisted calls for intervention during this strike, encouraging both parties to reach a negotiated settlement.
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What’s Next for Canada Post Workers and Services?
With operations set to resume on December 17, Canadians and businesses are bracing for potential delays as the postal service clears backlogs.
As the Industrial Inquiry Commission prepares to address long-standing structural issues, all eyes will be on the May 2025 report, which could reshape the future of labor relations at Canada Post.
For now, the return to work marks the end of one of the most significant disruptions to Canada’s postal service in recent years.
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