Canada Post labour dispute referred to Canada Industrial Relations Board

Federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon has referred the month’s long Canada Post labour dispute to the Canada Industrial Relations Board.  The board has to determine if a deal is within reach between the Canadian Union of Postal Workers and Crown corporation before the end of the year.  MacKinnon says since a federally appointed mediator withdrew themselves two weeks ago the negotiations have been–quote– “going in the wrong direction.”  The ruling could send nearly 55-thousand workers back to work and extend their current contract until May of next year.