Thousands of Canada Post workers will be forced to vote on the final offers put forward by the Crown corporation.
Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu is directing the Canada Industrial Relations Board to hold the vote as soon as possible.
In a statement posted to social media, the minister said giving members the chance to vote is in the public interest.
Hajdu pointed to the “ongoing strain placed on Canada’s small businesses and communities” after 18 months of negotiation, over 200 meetings between the parties, and 33 days of strike and lockout in the fall.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers previously rejected a request by Canada Post for a final vote, instead pushing for binding arbitration.
However, the Crown corporation has said it is not interested in binding arbitration, adding the process would be “long and complicated” and likely last more than a year.
In a statement on Thursday, Canada Post said it welcomed the minister’s decision to have unionized workers vote on its final offers which were put forward on May 28.
“This ratification vote comes as the parties remain at an impasse after 18 months of negotiations, a national strike and an Industrial Inquiry Commission which detailed the challenges we face, and what needs to be done to begin addressing them,” said the corporation.
“We stand ready to work with the CIRB to prepare for the vote and will share details as soon as they are available.”
See my statement on the ongoing labour dispute between the Canada Post Corporation and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers: pic.twitter.com/JrW3axXj6i
— Patty Hajdu (@PattyHajdu) June 12, 2025
