MP Taylor Bachrach has voiced his concerns about the government’s use of binding arbitration to force people back to work,
"Now, we saw this with the rail workers. We saw it with support workers. And now Canada Post is on strike. And I think there's a concern that the government may do something similar in that case as well. Now, you know, of course, there are all these, concerns and difficulties when it comes to the impact of labor disruptions on the economy and on people's lives. But the right to collectively bargain is in the Constitution. And we know that the agreements that are made at the table, are more durable. They're better agreements. So I, I'm very concerned, looking down the road, if the government is going to use this sledgehammer in section 107 [of the Canada Labour Code] to resolve, every major labor dispute, it really serves to undermine workers right to collective bargaining"
Bachrach says this impedes collective bargaining from taking place, and sends a message to the employer that they don’t have to bargain in good faith because the government will come to their rescue.
"We need to see fair deals. We need to see timely deals. And we need to see workers rights respected in this country."
The Canada post disruption will delay passport delivery as well as business invoices traveling through the system. They are also not accepting new items until the national disruption is over.
Canada Post and the Union have agreed to continue delivering government benefit cheques — including Old Age Security, the Canada Child Benefit and the Canada Pension Plan — during the labour disruption.
A statement said seniors and others who rely on the mail service will also still receive timely financial assistance.
Negotiations are still underway with a top mediator available to assist at the table. Bachrach says his sincere hope is that they reach an equitable agreeement as soon as possible.
