The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) filed a complaint on Friday with the Canada Industrial Relations Board against the Canada Post Corporation after the dismissal of striking employees.
According to the union, these layoffs are an intimidation tactic that contravenes the Canada Labor Code
.
Neither the Union nor Canada Post provided details on the extent of the layoffs.
The approximately 55,000 postal workers of the state company have been on strike since November 15, particularly over issues of wages and working conditions. Letters and packages are not processed, with the exception of government benefits.
A spokesperson for the Canada Post Corporation, Lisa Liu, says Canada Post has received the complaint and is reviewing it.
The Crown corporation denies that it contravenes the Labor Code.
Open in full screen mode
The talks have stalled since the special federal mediator suspended them on Wednesday.
Photo: The Canadian Press / Christine Muschi
The employer will have to justify itself, says an expert
At first glance, Canada Post appears to be violating a section of the Labor Code, David J. Doorey, a professor of labor and employment law at York University, said in an email this week.
Yes, yes STTP contests the layoffs, Canada Post will need solid evidence to persuade the Labor Relations Board that the layoffs are completely unrelated to the fact that the workers went on strike. It would be interesting to hear this argument
he said.
The end of the strike is not in sight. Federal Labor Minister Steven MacKinnon said Wednesday that the mediator appointed by Ottawa was getting nowhere, with the parties being too far apart on crucial issues. Mediation talks have been temporarily suspended and the government has no plans to intervene.
Mr. MacKinnon said he had summoned both parties to his office in Ottawa. However, he asserted that a directive for binding arbitration was not in the plans
.
Business
