Still no deal between Canada Post and its striking staff

Negotiations between Canada Post and the union for postal workers are still at a standstill as of Monday afternoon. Both sides have expressed their desire to return to the bargaining table, but no progress has been made yet.

Canada Post stated that they are waiting for the union to respond to their new proposal for negotiations, which was offered over the weekend. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers has indicated that they have made adjustments to the corporation’s suggestion in hopes of restarting the mediation process.

Despite the efforts from both parties, the mediator has not yet notified them of a restart in negotiations. However, the union has stated that they are prepared to resume talks whenever necessary.

On Sunday, Canada Post revealed that their plan includes proposals to increase flexibility in their delivery model and address other key issues in the ongoing labor dispute. The government-appointed mediator had put discussions on hold last week after determining that the two sides were too far apart on crucial matters to reach a resolution.

In a statement on Sunday, Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon emphasized the importance of resolving the dispute, stating that it is the responsibility of both parties to come to an agreement that is in the best interest of all Canadians. Mediation will only resume once the mediator is satisfied with the modifications made by both sides.

The strike, which began on November 15th, has led to a halt in mail deliveries across the country, impacting the holiday shipping season. The strike has now entered its third week, leading the U.S. Postal Service to stop accepting Canada-bound mail temporarily.

In addition to the challenges posed by the strike, Canadians are also being warned about potential mail scams. Equifax Canada and the Better Business Bureau have reported a surge in fraud attempts since the start of the strike, ranging from phishing emails to deceptive phone calls.

Scams related to parcels and deliveries typically increase during the holiday season, but the current work stoppage at Canada Post has led to a significant rise in fraudulent activities. Equifax Canada has noted a substantial increase in consumer fraud reports, with up to 87 reports in a single day coming from the same IP addresses.

Both Equifax Canada and the Better Business Bureau have advised Canadians to be cautious and vigilant against fake package delivery offers and other fraudulent schemes. They recommend verifying delivery services, avoiding unsolicited shipment offers from unknown companies, and checking for accreditation before selecting a service.

Canada Post has also issued a warning to users to watch out for phishing scams, emphasizing that they never contact users about deliveries via text or email unless requested. They have urged Canadians to be alert for signs of a scam, such as poor grammar, inconsistent imagery with Canada Post logos, or tracking numbers that do not match the standard format.

Overall, the ongoing strike at Canada Post has not only disrupted mail deliveries but has also heightened the risk of mail scams. As negotiations remain on hold, both parties are working towards a resolution to end the labor dispute and resume normal postal services across the country.