You can expect to see mail in your mailbox starting Tuesday, after back-to-work legislation passed in the House of Commons over the weekend.
The back to work legislation for postal workers dubbed Bill C-6 was passed on Saturday, June 25 after more than 48 hours of debate in the House.
Bill C-6 became law when it passed in the Senate on Sunday with a vote of 53 to 26 and it received royal assent.
"There is clear evidence that this work stoppage is causing serious harm to small businesses and consumers across the country," said Lisa Raitt, Canada's Labour Minister in a news release. "We have acted to protect the country's economy through fair legislation that will get Canadians their mail."
The Canada Post Corporation (CPC) expects Canadians to start receiving their mail again on June 28, with Canada Post beginning the process of resuming operations today (June 27).
"Canada Post employees will return to work within the next 24 to 28 hours and will be contacted by their supervisors regarding their return to work schedule. Plant employees will return to work first to begin sorting the mail for delivery, with delivery employees to follow," a press release from CPC stated.
The back-to-work legislation ends an 11-day lockout by the CPC. The lockout came after weeks of rotating strikes by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) who were in negotiations with CPC for months trying to come up with a new contract both sides could agree upon.
That contract was never reached by the two parties and CPC maintained their business was losing millions with the rotating strikes and work stoppage.
The government stepped in late last week when it seemed evident no common ground could be reached between the two groups.
While the back to work legislation has been embraced by CPC the CUPW is calling it "unjust and punitive."
"The government is clearly willing to side with employers to grind down wages and working conditions," said Denis Lemelin, CUPW National President in a news release. "It's decision to use back-to-work legislation in the Canada Post and Air Canada disputes was not neutral. The Conservatives have shown themselves to be very anti-worker after only two months of majority government."
