Monday morning, the Minister of Labor, Steven MacKinnon, clarified on X the CCRI had ordered the extension of the current collective agreements in addition to the resumption of activities. He added that a commission of inquiry into labor relations must look into “the structural issues of the conflict” and will then publish its report on May 15. “This report will serve as a solid basis for both parties to negotiate their collective agreements,” said Mr. MacKinnon.
Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) participated in CIRB hearings this weekend, which concluded that the two sides are truly at an impasse.
This is why the CCRI ordered “the return to work of staff and the gradual resumption of postal operations from 8 a.m. local time on December 17, 2024,” indicates Canada Post in a press release. There will therefore be no service on Monday December 16, it is specified.
See also – Return to work of Canada Post employees: “a failure on both sides”
Following this decision, Canada Post says it is delighted to have its employees back and “to serve the millions of people and businesses across the country who rely on the postal service.”
“Although the terms of the current collective agreements are extended until May 22, 2025, we offered staff a 5% salary increase, which was part of the proposals in our last global offer,” maintains Canada Post, which will give more details Monday.
A payment of $1000 before Christmas
The salary increase will be retroactive “to the day after the end date of the expired agreements” and will come into force immediately. The retroactive portion will be paid to staff in two installments; a payment of $1,000 before Christmas to regular staff and $500 to temporary staff and the rest of the retroactive pay before the end of January.
This decision comes as Labor Minister Steven MacKinnon has asked the CIRB to order the 55,000 employees who set up picket lines to return to work within days if the court determines that an agreement cannot be reached. is not possible before the end of the year.
The union did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the resumption of activities.
See also: Strike at Canada Post: an “irreparable harm”? It will take time to catch up
On Friday, he said in a press release that Minister MacKinnon’s intervention was part of a “deeply troubling trend by the government, which is using its arbitrary powers to let employers act with impunity, stand still and refuse to negotiate properly.” faith with workers and their unions”
Business groups, for their part, urged the government to intervene as businesses and individuals had to scramble to find other delivery methods in the midst of the holiday shopping period.
-With information from The Canadian Press.
