TORONTO — Dozens of Canada Submit employees gathered exterior a supply centre in east Toronto reacted with a mix of frustration, disappointment and hope on Friday morning as Ottawa introduced it was shifting to finish their practically month-long work stoppage.
After practically a month on the picket traces, some placing staff in yellow jackets have been glued to their telephones to search out out the main points of the announcement, which impacts some 55,000 employees.
Others have been discussing the event as they stood round a hearth that they had set as much as preserve heat in below-zero temperatures.
Postal employee Kirk Gonnsen stated whereas he was upset {that a} deal on a brand new collective settlement could not be reached, he was blissful that these struggling to pay bills and hire would quickly be bringing house a paycheque.
“I feel it’s unlucky that that is the decision that we got here to,” he stated.
“However I’m blissful that folks, my colleagues who’re struggling … are going to have the ability to return to work and earn some cash.”
Talking at a press convention in Ottawa, Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon stated the Crown company and the Canadian Union of Postal Employees have been at an “deadlock” that impelled the federal authorities to intervene.
MacKinnon stated he was asking the Canada Industrial Relations Board to order employees to return to work and lengthen their present contract till subsequent Might, if an settlement cannot be reached by the top of this yr.
He introduced an inquiry would probe why negotiations between the 2 events failed and what may be carried out to make a brand new deal attainable.
Gonnsen stated he has no possibility however to be optimistic concerning the inquiry. For “my very own emotional stability,” he stated, “it’s a must to hope {that a} good decision goes to come back out (of) this.”
The union, which started the work stoppage on Nov. 15, denounced Ottawa’s resolution and referred to as it an “assault” on employees’ rights.
Employees exterior the ability in Toronto’s east finish stated they do not consider Canada Submit has been negotiating in good religion, an accusation the company has denied.
Helen Karrandjas, one other union member, stated she was “upset” to see staff ordered to get again to work earlier than getting a good deal.
“We work exhausting. We deserve a residing wage, and it appears like Canada Submit’s higher administration is just not keen to barter,” she stated.
The launch of an inquiry is an fascinating transfer, stated fellow union member Gerard Van Deelen.
“Now we’re going to have a fee after which again to negotiations,” he stated.
“I can solely hope the fee finds one thing out about administration unwillingness to budge an inch.”
Denise Caster, one other employee, stated she and her colleagues all the time wished to get again to work, however they have been hoping they may achieve this after getting a deal.
“All they wish to do is (to) take away from us. They’re claiming that, you understand, we’re being grasping and that we wish an excessive amount of. We solely need what’s truthful,” she stated.
“I suppose we should wait till Might to see what will occur with that.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Dec. 13, 2024.
Sharif Hassan, The Canadian Press
