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Postal union expects Liberals to stay out of any labour dispute at Canada Post

A mail carrier delivers mail in Ottawa, on Dec.11, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

OTTAWA – The union representing more than 50,000 postal workers says it expects the federal Liberals to refrain from legislating their way through a potential labour dispute at Canada Post – in contrast to what the previous Conservative government did five years ago.

The union won a key court victory Thursday when an Ontario court found the Conservatives’ back-to-work legislation that ended a labour dispute at Canada Post five years ago was unconstitutional.

READ MORE: Can building a bank save Canada Post?

The president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers says he hopes the Liberals follow through on a pledge to not intervene in any labour disputes.

Mike Palecek says the court ruling coupled with the Liberal government’s public pronouncements should be a message to Canada Post that the corporation won’t be able to have the government legislate an end to any labour dispute.

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The two sides are in the midst of intensive contract negotiations after Canada Post filed for conciliation, but negotiators have made little movement towards a new collective agreement.

Canada Post spokesman Jon Hamilton says the corporation wants to ensure it signs a deal that is fair to employees and recognizes the postal service’s changing business needs.

WATCH: Union President calls Canada Post community mailbox system ‘a disastrous failure’
Click to play video: 'Mike Palecek calls Canada Post community mailbox system ‘a disastrous failure’'
Mike Palecek calls Canada Post community mailbox system ‘a disastrous failure’

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