This thinking is why they're in the trouble they are. When gov't imposes binding arbitration on them, both parties (employer and union) avoid making the difficult but necessary changes that are needed.
Binding arbitration is fine if the only issue is money. Generally the union gets slightly more than they would have otherwise been able to negotiate but the employer also avoids a strike.
But when the very fabric of your business changes (i.e., letter delivery), you need very real changes and interest arb would get you that.
That's why the industrial report that just came out advises the gov't to stay out of any strike and let it play out. Which will probably mean the union will be forced to agree to things they otherwise wouldn't. Canada Post could cave instead, but at this point they have nothing to lose. Without change they're dead anyways.
The problem is that there is no affordable acceptable substitute for Canada Post. Waiting out an extended strike would be disastrous for many individuals and small businesses.
Check out the costs of alternatives, such as FedEx and UPS. How would the average person or small business who has to mail small items, or mail payments because they don't have internet access or knowledge, afford the extreme cost differences.
What about people who haven't or can't set up direct deposit with the CRA or Service Canada do if they are expecting monthly CPP, OAS, GIS cheques, etc.
It was estimated that the last strike cost Canadian small businesses $1 billion.
Even as an experienced computer user who pays most of my bills on-line, there are some people I deal with who require physical cheques, which would be very expensive to send by courier.
Binding arbitration should include a plan to implement whatever changes are required at Canada Post to minimize operating costs for Canada Post, while still ensuring at least a basic acceptable level of service.