A national overtime ban, in place since late May when CUPW entered a strike position, will remain in effect, according to a report from The Canadian Press (CP).
Another strike unlikely, say experts
However, it is unlikely that there would be another similar labour action at Canada Post, experts told CP.
Larry Savage, professor in the department of labour studies at Brock University, said the division among CUPW members would make it difficult to organise a strike. He said that even if a strike could be organised, it is not clear it would achieve the union’s goals.
The federal government had previously encouraged both sides to agree to binding arbitration, which CUPW supported but Canada Post opposed, arguing it would delay negotiations. Both King and Savage told CP that arbitration is unlikely to deliver the sweeping changes Canada Post is seeking.
Canada Post’s financial challenges have been a central issue in negotiations, according to the report posted in Global News. An Industrial Inquiry Commission report earlier this year found the postal service was effectively bankrupt and in need of substantial reform. Savage told CP that the federal government may consider restructuring Canada Post’s mandate after the current dispute is resolved, potentially expanding community mailboxes or ending daily door-to-door delivery.