Feds Table Back-To-Work Legislation In Postal Dispute
Liberals Hope To Expedite Legislation Process
Thursday
The Federal Minister of Labour, Patty Hajdu, has tabled Back-to-Work legislation in the House of Commons, in an attempt to end the postal dispute.
The Liberals have also introduced a motion to expedite the normally weeks-long process, with debate expected Thursday afternoon.
Wednesday
The federal government is getting closer to introducing back-to-work legislation in the postal dispute.
A special mediator has been reappointed in hopes of getting a settlement first.
If that doesn’t work, the legislation could come by the end of the week.
Rotating strikes by postal workers have taken a toll on Canadian businesses. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business says its members, on average, have been hit to the tune of $3,000 each by the disruptions to mail and parcel delivery.
Canada Post says there are more than 500 truckloads full of undelivered packages sitting idle facilities across the country. Many of the items originated from small retailers.
Foreign mail services have been asked to stop sending packages to Canada to add to the backlog. Commercial customers and Canadians with mail and parcels in or entering the postal network have been told to expect long and unpredictable delays before it’s delivered.
A back-to-work order was issued by the Conservative government in 2011 when workers had been locked out by Canada Post.
Monday
Canada Post’s proposal of a ‘cooling off’ period until January 13 is rejected by the CUPW.
The crown corporation made the appeal to “reduce the massive existing backlogs that threaten the holiday season, which is critical for countless small businesses, retailers and charities.”
In a statement, the Crown corporation said it wanted CUPW members to put down their picket signs while talks are on, and offered a special payment of up to $1,000 for each member if there is no labour disruption while mediated talks were on.
The proposal came as Canada Post workers continued their rotating strikes Monday after rejecting the Crown agency’s latest offer and also requested the government appoint a mediator to help end the ongoing dispute.
