Liberal government tables back-to-work legislation to end postal strike

BELLEVILLE – The federal government has tabled legislation to bring an end to the five-week Canada Post strike.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberal government hope to pass back-to-work legislation.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers rejected the latest offer from Canada Post to end the labour dispute and get back to work last Saturday.

The pressure of delayed online deliveries during the holiday season –  one of the busiest time of the year for mail delivery – has impacted multiple businesses across Canada. Online retailers, including eBay, have urged the Canadian government to step in.

On Wednesday afternoon, the federal Liberals gave a 48-hour notice that they would forcibly end the strike.

The strike stems from the union having issues with their job security, ending forced overtime, being overworked and health and safety concerns.

Issues between Canada Post and its workers have been ongoing for decades, dating back to when Trudeau’s father, Pierre Trudeau, was prime minister. Stephen Harper’s Conservative government previously passed back-to-work legislation to end the last postal strike in 2011, a move an Ontario judge said violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The strike will be over in time for Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.

CUPW Strike Explainer from QNet News on Vimeo.