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Postal Showdown: Ottawa’s ‘Time Out’ Move Amid the Canada Post Strike
Hey everyone, I wanted to start a thread about the Canada Post strike and this new 'time out' plan Ottawa is talking about. There’s been a lot going on, and I’ve gathered some details below. Feel free to jump in with your thoughts or updates.
Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon says he’s going to ask the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to decide if Canada Post should resume full operations if the CIRB thinks the contract dispute has hit a dead end. MacKinnon also plans to bring in an independent commissioner to review how Canada Post is set up, along with its current collective agreement, and then give recommendations on what to do next.
We’ve hit the four-week mark of this nationwide postal strike. On that note, MacKinnon announced he's sending the conflict between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) over to the CIRB.
What led to the strike?
CUPW says the strike began because Canada Post “refused to negotiate real solutions” to daily issues postal workers face.
When the strike started, Canada Post warned that it would cause delivery delays for Canadians, and this is right when the holiday shopping season is kicking off.
When did the strike begin?
The strike started at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 15.
Have mediators been involved?
Yes, but federal mediation efforts were paused on Nov. 27 because mediators said both sides were too far apart.
What about Ottawa's involvement?
On Friday, MacKinnon said he’s sending the dispute to the CIRB. If the board thinks a deal can’t be reached by the end of the year, it would order the roughly 55,000 workers back under their current contract until May 22, 2025.
"We're calling a time out," MacKinnon said on Friday.
He explained that both sides seemed stuck, and he concluded they were at a total impasse.
While this “time out” is in place, MacKinnon will appoint an industrial inquiry commission to dig into the bargaining issues. They have until May 15 to suggest how a new deal could be reached.
What about Canada Post service right now?
Canada Post operations have halted during the strike.
MacKinnon hopes the CIRB will move quickly. If the CIRB agrees with his assessment, it might order Canada Post to resume operations as soon as early next week.
How rare is this kind of intervention?
Ottawa used Section 107 of the Labour Code for this action. It used the same legal power earlier this year to resolve disputes at railways and ports, telling the CIRB to order employees back and go to binding arbitration.
Those previous moves sparked legal challenges and were criticized for undermining workers’ bargaining rights.
This time, MacKinnon says the approach under Section 107 is more restrained. Alison Braley-Rattai, a labour studies professor at Brock University, says this government move is less heavy-handed than before.
Was this intervention expected?
Business groups pushed the government to step in, but Canada Post itself did not. Until Friday, MacKinnon said there would be no intervention. Braley-Rattai notes she’s not surprised the government finally did something because the conflict has dragged on for a long time.
MacKinnon called this a creative solution since it doesn’t just send everything straight to binding arbitration, unlike past interventions with railways and ports. He admits there’s no guarantee a deal will be found by May, but he hopes this inquiry can point to a path that works for both Canada Post and its workers.
How did both sides react?
CUPW issued a statement condemning the move. They called it an "assault on our constitutionally protected right to collectively bargain and to strike."
The union is reviewing the minister’s order and considering its options.
Canada Post said it’s also reviewing the announcement to fully participate and comply with the minister’s directive.
Is this just about wages?
Not exactly. Wages are one issue, but they’re negotiating several points. CUPW presented new demands for its urban and rural carriers on Monday (the first meeting since mediators stepped back), including:
CUPW’s president, Jan Simpson, said the union hasn’t heard back from Canada Post about these revised demands. She accused Canada Post of dragging things out so the government would eventually intervene.
"Right now, we’re talking internally about our next steps. But our members are still on the picket lines, fighting for fair wages, a dignified retirement, and better health and safety," Simpson told CBC News on Friday.
Meanwhile, charities in places like Windsor are missing donations due to the strike, and thousands of social assistance cheques haven’t been delivered in some areas.
Canada Post said it’s "extremely disappointed" with the union’s latest offer. Earlier, Canada Post acknowledged that CUPW moved on wage demands, but insisted the union’s asks still aren’t affordable. They say they need a solution that fits their financial limits.
This whole situation shows just how challenging it can be to balance worker demands, corporate financial realities, and government pressure—especially as the holiday season approaches and Canadians want reliable mail service.
In summary:
Let’s keep discussing this as it unfolds. If you have any new info or perspectives, jump in below.
Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon says he’s going to ask the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to decide if Canada Post should resume full operations if the CIRB thinks the contract dispute has hit a dead end. MacKinnon also plans to bring in an independent commissioner to review how Canada Post is set up, along with its current collective agreement, and then give recommendations on what to do next.
We’ve hit the four-week mark of this nationwide postal strike. On that note, MacKinnon announced he's sending the conflict between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) over to the CIRB.
What led to the strike?
CUPW says the strike began because Canada Post “refused to negotiate real solutions” to daily issues postal workers face.
When the strike started, Canada Post warned that it would cause delivery delays for Canadians, and this is right when the holiday shopping season is kicking off.
When did the strike begin?
The strike started at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 15.
Have mediators been involved?
Yes, but federal mediation efforts were paused on Nov. 27 because mediators said both sides were too far apart.
What about Ottawa's involvement?
On Friday, MacKinnon said he’s sending the dispute to the CIRB. If the board thinks a deal can’t be reached by the end of the year, it would order the roughly 55,000 workers back under their current contract until May 22, 2025.
"We're calling a time out," MacKinnon said on Friday.
He explained that both sides seemed stuck, and he concluded they were at a total impasse.
While this “time out” is in place, MacKinnon will appoint an industrial inquiry commission to dig into the bargaining issues. They have until May 15 to suggest how a new deal could be reached.
What about Canada Post service right now?
Canada Post operations have halted during the strike.
MacKinnon hopes the CIRB will move quickly. If the CIRB agrees with his assessment, it might order Canada Post to resume operations as soon as early next week.
How rare is this kind of intervention?
Ottawa used Section 107 of the Labour Code for this action. It used the same legal power earlier this year to resolve disputes at railways and ports, telling the CIRB to order employees back and go to binding arbitration.
Those previous moves sparked legal challenges and were criticized for undermining workers’ bargaining rights.
This time, MacKinnon says the approach under Section 107 is more restrained. Alison Braley-Rattai, a labour studies professor at Brock University, says this government move is less heavy-handed than before.
Was this intervention expected?
Business groups pushed the government to step in, but Canada Post itself did not. Until Friday, MacKinnon said there would be no intervention. Braley-Rattai notes she’s not surprised the government finally did something because the conflict has dragged on for a long time.
MacKinnon called this a creative solution since it doesn’t just send everything straight to binding arbitration, unlike past interventions with railways and ports. He admits there’s no guarantee a deal will be found by May, but he hopes this inquiry can point to a path that works for both Canada Post and its workers.
How did both sides react?
CUPW issued a statement condemning the move. They called it an "assault on our constitutionally protected right to collectively bargain and to strike."
The union is reviewing the minister’s order and considering its options.
Canada Post said it’s also reviewing the announcement to fully participate and comply with the minister’s directive.
Is this just about wages?
Not exactly. Wages are one issue, but they’re negotiating several points. CUPW presented new demands for its urban and rural carriers on Monday (the first meeting since mediators stepped back), including:
- Wage increases of 9%, then 4%, then 3%, then another 3% over four years.
- A cost-of-living allowance.
- 10 medical days, plus 7 personal leave days.
- Increased short-term disability payments to 80% of regular wages.
- Better rights for temporary and on-call relief employees.
CUPW’s president, Jan Simpson, said the union hasn’t heard back from Canada Post about these revised demands. She accused Canada Post of dragging things out so the government would eventually intervene.
"Right now, we’re talking internally about our next steps. But our members are still on the picket lines, fighting for fair wages, a dignified retirement, and better health and safety," Simpson told CBC News on Friday.
Meanwhile, charities in places like Windsor are missing donations due to the strike, and thousands of social assistance cheques haven’t been delivered in some areas.
Canada Post said it’s "extremely disappointed" with the union’s latest offer. Earlier, Canada Post acknowledged that CUPW moved on wage demands, but insisted the union’s asks still aren’t affordable. They say they need a solution that fits their financial limits.
This whole situation shows just how challenging it can be to balance worker demands, corporate financial realities, and government pressure—especially as the holiday season approaches and Canadians want reliable mail service.
In summary:
- The Canada Post strike hit four weeks.
- Federal Labour Minister MacKinnon stepped in with a “time out” plan, sending the matter to the CIRB.
- If no deal is near by year’s end, workers go back under the old contract until 2025.
- An independent inquiry will investigate and suggest how to get a new agreement by May 15.
- Both Canada Post and CUPW are disappointed, but the strike continues, and so do the picket lines.
Let’s keep discussing this as it unfolds. If you have any new info or perspectives, jump in below.