I'm not a big fan of The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (I have a  website dedicated to my time as member over the last 35 years.) However, I do admit that they were unfairly treated by the Conservative Government with back-to-work legislation.

Instead of the usual "Mediation/Arbitration Back-to-Work Legislation", the posties were treated with a "Final Offer Arbitration With a Wage Rollback Back-to-Work Legislation". This is more or less a dictation of surrender terms from a government with a big fat majority. 

There was no chance of a negotiated settlement with a 3.2 billion dollar pension liability hanging over Canada Post's head. Canada Post is required by federal legislation to keep "The Canada Post Pension Plan" fully funded.

CUPW's best bet would have been mediation/arbitration.

The posties are back to work now and I'm happy that I retired from the Post Office when I did.

Postal Workers still have steady well paying jobs with job security and lots of vacation time.