Mediator appointed to resolve dispute at Canada Post

OTTAWA — A former industrial-relations heavyweight has been appointed to bring a conclusion to the Canada Post labour dispute, two weeks after the federal government legislated an end to rotating strikes by postal employees.

Elizabeth MacPherson, a former chair of the Canada Industrial Relations Board, will have up to 14 days to try to reach negotiated contract settlements between the Crown corporation and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers.

The two sides have not been at the bargaining table since the federal government brought in a back-to-work bill to halt the rotating walkouts — legislation that sparked protests outside some Canada Post facilities in support of the postal workers.

Bill C-89, which was passed into law Nov. 27, included provisions for the government to appoint a mediator with a mandate to bring the two sides together.

“Canada Post and CUPW were unable to agree on a mediator-arbitrator as per the process outlined in the legislation,” Labour Minister Patty Hajdu said in a statement announcing MacPherson’s appointment. “I remain hopeful that the two parties will be able to negotiate new agreements and continue to monitor the situation closely.”

In the absence of an agreement between the Crown corporation and CUPW, MacPherson will have the authority to impose a settlement through binding arbitration.

Canada Post said it would “fully participate” in the mediation process.

“We believe in our right to free collective bargaining but we will reluctantly participate in this legislated process,” CUPW said in a statement. It said it will try to negotiate an agreement so as to avoid arbitration.

The rotating strikes created havoc with the country’s postal system and caused delivery delays that are expected to continue through January.