Mediation talks between Canada Post and union suspended

Negotiations between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers have hit a roadblock, marking the first time since the countrywide strike began. The federally appointed special mediator has decided to temporarily halt talks between the two parties, as they are deemed to be too far apart on critical issues for mediation to be successful at this point.

In a statement posted on X on Wednesday, Canada’s labour minister, Steven MacKinnon, expressed his frustration with the breakdown in negotiations. Following several intense days of discussions, the special mediator has determined that both parties need to reassess their positions and come back to the bargaining table with renewed determination.

Minister MacKinnon has called for a meeting with both Canada Post and the union to take place this afternoon. He emphasized that they are solely responsible for the consequences of the conflict and its resolution. The special mediator will return to facilitate discussions once productive bargaining can resume.

The strike by 55,000 Canada Post workers began on Nov. 15, disrupting the national mail service just before the busy holiday season. Despite the strike, both the Crown corporation and the union have continued bargaining talks. The special mediator has been working with both sides since Nov. 18 in an effort to reach a new collective agreement.

While initial progress was reported, tensions escalated on Tuesday night when Canada Post accused the CUPW of stalling the talks. The union, in turn, accused the Crown corporation of misrepresenting the events at the bargaining table.

CUPW clarified that they left the meetings on Tuesday because they could not proceed without Canada Post’s negotiators. The union reiterated their stance on certain employer demands and expressed frustration with Canada Post’s unwillingness to meet their requests.

Key issues in the negotiations include a wage increase, benefits, working conditions, and the company’s proposal to shift to seven-days-a-week delivery. CUPW is pushing for a 22% wage hike over the next four years, while Canada Post has offered half of that amount.

As the impasse continues, both parties are urged to reflect on their positions and come back to the table with a renewed commitment to finding a resolution. Stay tuned for further updates on the Canada Post strike and the ongoing negotiations with the CUPW.