Calgary's striking Canada Post workers disappointed in Ottawa's intervention

The Canada Post workers strike that has halted mail and parcel delivery before the holidays could be coming to an end as the federal government looks to intervene.

Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said he believes negotiations are not working.

It will be up to the Canada Industrial Relations Board to decide if it agrees.

If it does, it will force staff to resume work.

"It is a little bit disappointing because that is exactly what Canda Post has always wanted," said Wycliffe Oduor, president of Calgary Local 710, Canadian Union of Postal Workers.

Canada Post workers have been striking for four weeks, preventing mail and package deliveries from reaching customers across the country.

"(The federal government) needed to get Canada to come on, come to the table and negotiate in good faith," Oduor said.

"We've been out here four weeks without pay. ... But I've heard it from our members, we are not going back to the same conditions that we were found in before we left, because Canada Post is such a cold-hearted employer."

The two parties still have the chance to come to their own agreement, but that will need to happen soon.

Charles Smith, a labour expert and associate professor of political studies at St.Thomas More College at the University of Saskatchewan, calls the move by the labour minister frustrating.

"I think this is just another example in a series of actions by the federal government that undermines the ability of workers to bargain with their employer in a fair and effective way," Smith said.

He points to past examples of the labour board forcing Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Kansas City to begin operation again, port workers, as well as other back-to-work orders it has weighed in on.

"The federal government has just kicked this down the road. The underlying issues will not get solved," Smith said.

"The workers' voices are muted."

The Canada Industrial Relations Board's decision that would force Canada Post employees back on the job would have them continue to work under their current collective agreement until May 22, 2025.

Impact to small businesses

Villages Calgary is a non-profit fair-trade craft store selling everything from toys to books to food from around the world.

It ships to anywhere in Canada, and calls the possibility of being able to ship to people again a Christmas miracle.

"That would be fantastic because that would mean that customers can proceed with their orders and we can get them out in a timely manner, hopefully before Christmas Day," said store ambassador Zena Zalasky.

The store is currently waiting for 10 orders to be picked up, but if it weren't for the postal strike, it would "probably be doing double that."

"Normally, this time of year is extremely busy sending out online orders," Zalasky said.

"We are resorting to having our customers who are doing online orders to come directly to the store and pick up their items, or there are customers around Canada that are unable to take advantage of our products because the shipping costs are so high."