Yellowknife preparing for an influx of mail after Canada Post workers ordered back to work

Staff at Buffalo Airways in Yellowknife are preparing for a lot of work ahead as Canada's national postal service grinds back into motion.

Striking Canada Post workers were ordered back to their jobs on Tuesday, following a ruling by the Canada Industrial Relations Board.

Canada Post says a five per cent wage increase will be implemented for striking workers, retroactive to the day after workers' collective agreements expired.

Canada Post workers will be returning to work under existing agreements that have now been extended until May 22.

Buffalo Airways general manager Mikey McBryan said his team is now preparing for an influx of packages and mail. The airline operates a courier service, Buffalo Air Express.

"Stuff is stuck worldwide and when that floodgate opens, it's going to be a mess to figure out all the logistics to get everything delivered, especially before Christmas," said McBryan.

In a statement on Monday, Canada Post said customers should expect delays into 2025. They also stated that they will not be receiving or picking up new products until Thursday. New international mail won't be accepted until Dec. 23.

"On a first-in, first-out basis, Canada Post will start working through the mail and parcels trapped in the system since the strike began on Nov. 15," the postal service wrote.

Canada Post added post office hours may vary while the company stabilizes operations.

CUPW disappointed with return-to-work order

CBC News was unable to contact the local Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) groups in Yellowknife or Hay River.

In a statement Monday, CUPW national grievance officer Carl Girouard said the union would be challenging the back-to-work order. The Canada Industrial Relations Board is set to hear the union's challenges on Jan. 13 and 14.

"This decision is disappointing to say the least for CUPW and all of our members who made sacrifices to fight for what is right and our rights to negotiate improvements to our working conditions," Girouard wrote.

One Yellowknife business also isn't overly excited about the return-to-work order. Overlander sports co-owner Jordan Crosby said they were able to find other shipping options during the strike and were in support of striking workers.

"Hopefully they get what they want, if not now, eventually. Because they work hard. I talked to a lot of the Canada Post people daily. I go to Canada Post and they deliver here daily and I know they're hard working and good people," said Crosby.

Canada Post said service guarantees will be suspended for the time being.

McBryan said they are already trying to sort out the logistics of receiving the backlog of packages. He added they were set to send a Boeing 737 to Edmonton Tuesday night to handle the incoming freight. 

If there is a silver lining to the situation, McBryan said he thinks it's that the strike might have encouraged more people to shop local this holiday season.

Still, the airline ships up many gifts from the south, he said.

"We're going to do our best with everybody in Yellowknife to get everything delivered before Christmas."