Members of Parliament held off their summer break Thursday night as they settled into the House of Commons for a lengthy debate over the government's back-to-work legislation for Canada Post workers.

Not long after filibustering began, NDP Leader Jack Layton began a long speech. However, the Conservatives' majority in the House of Commons all but guarantees the legislation will eventually pass.

Layton spoke for an hour before concluding with a request that the bill not proceed to second reading Thursday, but to be read for a second time "six months hence."

Earlier Thursday, Layton called on the federal government to remove a section on wages from the legislation, saying the move sets "a terrible precedent" and renders collective bargaining "pointless."

The legislation includes wage increases for workers that are lower than what Canada Post included in its last offer to the union.

During question period Thursday afternoon, Layton asked the prime minister to remove the section on wages from the bill and refer the matter to an arbitrator.

"The prime minister has rendered collective bargaining pointless in this country," Layton told question period. "He's signalling that if you can't get what you want at the bargaining table, never mind, Ottawa will legislate it for you if you're an employer. Why bother to bargain? It's a terrible precedent."

Harper called the wage rates contained in the legislation "fair," and said they are on par with the earnings of other federal public servants.

"We need to be absolutely clear of the difference here. The government, unlike the NDP, is not beholden to one of the parties at the table. The government represents the wider interests of the Canadian economy…," Harper said, before being drowned out by a standing ovation from the Conservative caucus.

Earlier Thursday, the union said it had all but given up on reaching a deal with the Crown corporation.

A spokesperson for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers said Thursday that the bill tabled, and the wage increases contained in it, by the Conservative party has removed any incentive for the employer to continue bargaining.

Gerry Deveau, the union's national director for Ontario, said the two sides were close to a deal earlier in the week. However, they remain at odds over several issues such as sick leave, pensions, working conditions and staffing.

Deveau told CTV's Power Play Thursday evening that he doesn't "see any more opportunities to have those discussions with the corporation."

But he said there is still time to amend the legislation.

"There are obviously opportunities to have the legislation amended to make it more a level playing field, so that both sides are at least on a level playing field," Deveau said. "As we see it right now, the legislation is written in a one-sided manner that favours the employer versus the union. So we want to see a balance there."

Deveau accused Canada Post of approaching negotiations with little flexibility. But company spokesperson Jon Hamilton said with a downward trend in the corporation's business expected to continue, there are issues it cannot bend on.

"We need to make some changes now so that we don't have to make more difficult choices down the road," Hamilton told Power Play. "And that means preserving the wages, pensions and job security of current employees and making some changes to what we offer new employees. We think that's a fair and reasonable plan."

Meanwhile, the debate over the issue on Parliament Hill is expected to last through the day and into the night. The NDP had vowed to delay the bill in order to give the two sides more time to work out a deal.

Labour Minister Lisa Raitt introduced the back-to-work bill on Monday, after the Crown corporation locked out its unionized workers who had been staging rotating strikes across the country.

She defended the binding arbitration that will take place if the bill is passed, saying "final offer binding selection" was necessary to avoid years of mediation and "millions of dollars" wasted.

Raitt, under fire from opposition MPs, also said the proposed wage increase was fair because it matched other agreements the government has negotiated with public servants.

"At the end of the day, we are responsible to the great taxpayers of Canada (who) have the responsibility of being on the hook for Canada Post," she said.

"We want to make sure we ensure the viability of Canada Post Corporation."

Raitt told Power Play that the last time Canada Post was legislated back to work, in 1997, the NDP supported the bill despite the fact it also contained wage levels lower than what management had offered.

"They saw the bigger picture of the importance of getting postal workers back to work and getting the mail going. So I hope they take a look at that again."

The Conservatives are hoping to pass the bill as soon as possible, so that postal deliveries can resume next week and MPs can begin their summer break, which is scheduled to start on Friday.

Though they likely don't have the numbers to block the vote, the NDP can delay the bill as long as there are New Democrat MPs in the House of Commons to speak about the legislation.

When the debate ends, a vote can immediately be called.

Earlier Thursday, Power Play host Don Martin said MPs have been ordered to remain close to Parliament until the debate is complete, meaning none can begin their summer break early.

The Senate has also vowed to sit as long as necessary to pass the bill.

Last week, the Conservatives tabled back-to-work legislation that would have ended a strike by Air Canada workers. Under the increased pressure, both sides managed to work out a last minute deal before the legislation became law.

Martin said the Conservatives are sending a strong message to labour unions.

"I think it's a shot across the bow to all unions, saying if you're economically important...you can play ball at the bargaining table or you can face the consequences in the House."