John Gushue

A St. John's union leader says striking postal workers in his shop are not at all happy about a labour board decision that will force an end Tuesday to a month-long strike.

Craig Dyer said Monday that the members he had spoken with were "very confused, very angry that the government will take away the rights to negotiate a collective agreement."

The Canada Industrial Relations Board ordered a return to work as the weekend ended, complying with an order two days earlier from federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon, who directed the board to order 55,000 striking workers back to work if a deal could not be reached.

Canada Post said operations will resume Tuesday.

Canada Post says workers to return Tuesday after labour board ruling

Canada Post says operations will resume on Tuesday after the Canada Industrial Relations Board ordered a return to work.

Mail box and vehicles covered in snow are seen parked in a line.

Canada Post vehicles sit covered in snow at a distribution facility after a strike that has lasted more than four weeks, in Ottawa on December 13, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle

Canada-Post-Strike 20241215

Canada Post vehicles sit covered in snow at a distribution facility after a strike that has lasted more than four weeks, in Ottawa on December 13.

But Dyer, who is president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers local in St. John's, said the union had not received the text of the order by early Monday morning. Instead, he said, news of it leaked&nbsp;through the news and social media.

"On Thursday, their negotiating committee reached out to our negotiating committee, asked a few questions and that was the end of it. And then 24 hours later we're being ordered back to work," Dyer said in an interview with CBC Radio's&nbsp;

"We believe that it was orchestrated this way."

Union leaders were expecting to learn the actual details of the order later Monday, and would communicate with CUPW members.

Canada Post workers rally in St. John's on 4th day of national strike

A crowd of Canada Post workers and union supporters rallied in downtown St. John's Monday on the fourth day of the national strike. Workers say they'll continue to push for better support for the next generation of employees.

Postal workers on the picket line say they're fighting for the next generation

A crowd of people, several of whom are holding flags, listen to a man speaking at a microphone.

Canada Post workers and union leaders rallied in downtown St. John's on Monday as they continue a national strike in search of better working conditions.

Postal workers rally

Postal union gives 72-hour strike notice, putting rural N.L. Christmas deliveries at risk

After a year of negotiations, the postal union has given Canada Post a 72-hour strike notice. At a solidarity rally in St. John's last week, local president Craig Dyer says a strike could mean parcels — including Christmas presents — won't make it to rural communities.

Man in baseball hat and yellow jersey stands in front of crowd holding banners. 

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers Local 126 President Craig Dyer is hoping the 95 percent strike mandate will send a message to Canada Post, and get workers the fair deal they want. 

Craig Dyer

As to whether striking postal workers will all report for work Tuesday, Dyer said he "did not have that crystal ball to help you."

He added, "I can tell you our members are upset."

After a month-long strike, 55,000 postal workers were ordered back to work after a decision by the Canada Industrial Relations Board. But Craig Dyer, president of the union in St. John’s, said workers are furious after details of the order were leaked. 


Postal workers 'very confused, very angry' about imposed end to strike

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