Labour minister says Ottawa will remain on sidelines as postal strike nears four weeks

The ongoing Canada Post strike has entered its fourth week, with more than 55,000 workers across the country participating in the labour dispute. Despite mounting frustration from Canadians and pressure from business groups, the federal government has stated that it will not intervene in the negotiations between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers.

Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon emphasized that it is up to the two parties to come to an agreement and end the strike. While acknowledging the challenges faced by small businesses and rural communities due to the strike, MacKinnon urged both Canada Post and the union to take the negotiations seriously and reach a deal.

Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers have been engaged in a war of words, with both sides presenting their respective proposals. Canada Post has criticized the union’s demands as unaffordable and unsustainable, estimating that they would cost over $3 billion over four years. In response, the union has defended its proposals, which include wage increases below previous demands, a cost-of-living allowance, and improved job security.

One of the key points of contention in the negotiations is Canada Post’s proposal to expand weekend delivery services, which would require creating new jobs. The union has pushed back on this proposal, leading to a deadlock in discussions on how to staff weekend deliveries.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to intervene and bring the two parties to the bargaining table to end the strike. However, Trudeau emphasized that the best deals are made through negotiations between the two parties.

As the strike continues, the impact on small businesses and rural communities is becoming more pronounced. Entrepreneurs are losing money, and the essential nature of postal services is underscored by the disruption caused by the strike. It remains to be seen how the negotiations will progress and when a resolution will be reached to end the strike.