Here’s How Long Past Canada Post Job Actions Lasted, and What They Cost
As Canada Post workers prepare for potential job actions, including strikes or lockouts, as early as Friday, the implications for Canadians and the postal service could be significant. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) announced it would be in a legal strike position starting at 12:01 a.m. eastern on Friday, with the goal of reaching collective agreements that address the challenges faced by its members.
Current Situation
The announcement from CUPW came shortly after Canada Post issued a notice of lockout, although the corporation stated that operations would continue for the time being. Canada Post spokesperson Lisa Liu confirmed that unless agreements are reached, current collective agreements would no longer apply, signaling a tense negotiation environment.
Historical Context of Job Actions
This isn’t the first time Canada Post has faced job actions, especially with the holiday season approaching. Past strikes have had significant impacts on mail and parcel delivery.
Rotating Strikes of 2018
In October 2018, Canada Post workers began rotating strikes that led to a backlog of undelivered mail and parcels. By late November, the strikes were nearing a month, causing the Crown corporation to warn of delays extending into January.
In response, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government introduced back-to-work legislation on November 22, which ultimately passed on November 24 and received royal assent on November 26, ending the strikes a day later. The job action resulted in an estimated net loss of $135 million for Canada Post.
2011 Strikes and Lockout
In June 2011, urban postal workers initiated rotating strikes, which led to a lockout by Canada Post mid-month. The then-labour minister Lisa Raitt tabled back-to-work legislation on June 15, which faced opposition but ultimately passed, returning workers to their jobs. Canada Post reported a loss of over $70 million in revenue during the strikes, with total losses estimated at $200 million.
Other Notable Strikes
Canada Post workers have faced back-to-work legislation in previous years as well. Notable instances include actions taken by former Prime Ministers Jean Chrétien in 1997 and Brian Mulroney in 1987.
Potential Outcomes
As Canada Post approaches another potential strike or lockout, the NDP has indicated it would not support back-to-work legislation, differing from past instances where such measures were more easily passed under majority governments. With the current federal government being a minority, support from at least one other party would be necessary to enact similar legislation.
Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon has stated that the government is providing mediation support to both parties in the dispute, expressing hope for a resolution through collective bargaining.
Conclusion
As the potential for job actions looms, the historical context of past strikes reveals the significant impacts on Canada Post operations and the Canadian public. The outcome of the current negotiations is crucial, especially with the busy holiday season approaching, and all eyes will be on the developments as the strike deadline approaches.
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