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.
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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.
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.