Yellowknife preparing for an influx of mail after Canada Post workers ordered back to work
CBC
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.
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.
Hundreds of P.E.I. parents can't find child-care spaces, especially for infants. The provincial government says expanding those spots remains a top priority — and it recognizes the concern.
An Alberta judge says a referendum proposal on Alberta separating from Canada goes against Charter and and Treaty rights, in a decision given less than 24 hours after the provincial government introduced legislation that would have ended the court proceeding.
The architect of Alberta's politician recall legislation says it was never meant to be used as a political weapon, but as an "ultimate tool of accountability" if a politician engages in illegal or unethical behaviour.
The Government of Saskatchewan has introduced its long-promised involuntary treatment legislation on the final day of the fall sitting.
The Law Society of Ontario has suspended the licence of Deepak Paradkar, one of seven Canadians arrested in connection with alleged drug lord Ryan Wedding’s cocaine smuggling ring.
London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is getting rid of unlimited mental health benefits for staff, blaming ballooning costs and former administrators for implementing it without proper due diligence or oversight.
Netflix has agreed to buy Warner Bros. Discovery's TV and film studios and streaming division for $72 billion US, a deal that would hand control of one of Hollywood's most prized and oldest assets to the streaming pioneer that has upended the media industry.
CBC Calgary kicks off its annual Make the Season Kind campaign this morning at Fratello Coffee Roasters.
CBC Newfoundland and Labrador is kicking off its annual holiday campaign, helping to raise money to support local food banks.
If all goes according to plan, at 6 a.m. AT on Saturday people working at the IWK Health Centre will become the test case for a generational change to Nova Scotia’s health-care system.
One month after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced what he called "generational" military spending, New Brunswick’s defence ecosystem is on high alert.
Miranda Mirlycourtois, 34, looks directly at the camera and makes a confession.
Saskatoon city hall says police spending is projected to be $2.6 million over budget this year. That pushes the city into a $1.2-million deficit position, according to a report that will be considered by city council next week.