The Minister of Labor should use his powers to appoint a special mediator, as provided for in a section of law, rather than resorting to binding arbitration in the dispute between Canada Post and its employees.
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At least that’s what Marc Ranger, former Quebec director of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, believes.
“There is an article, article 105, which would allow the minister, in the case of the conflict at the posts, where I find that there are still many disputes, to appoint himself a special mediator who would have powers to make recommendations,” he explained in an interview with LCN on Friday.
According to him, imposing an arbitrator would pose a problem, because he would only look at the question of salaries and not working hours, which would be the fundamental question.
“If the minister wants to help, appoint the special mediator, he would have the power to say: suspend your pressure tactics while I take ownership of the file. […] It could be a good way out,” judges Mr. Ranger.
Canada Post employees have demands on salaries, but also working conditions, retirement “with dignity” and diversification of services.
«[Même si] They have been in negotiations for a long time, I was surprised to see the number of requests that still remain on the table at all levels,” underlined the specialist.
“It would take a miracle to fix [le dossier] in a few days,” he said.
