Canada Post has announced plans to present new proposals to the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) in an effort to advance negotiations. The Crown corporation stated that the updated terms will facilitate the resumption of discussions next week, with preparations already underway for this purpose. This development follows the union’s imposition of a ban on flyer deliveries by its 55,000 members, which commenced on Monday, alongside calls for Canada Post to return to the negotiating table.
In response to the rejection of its previous offer by union members in early August, Canada Post received a revised counter-proposal from CUPW on August 20. The postal service expressed concerns over the additional costs and constraints introduced in the latest proposal, especially amid the current challenges faced by the organization. Despite requesting the union to propose a more feasible solution, Canada Post proceeded to introduce new comprehensive offers in the hopes of reaching common ground on critical matters such as weekend delivery.
With the approaching holiday season adding urgency to the negotiations, both parties are under pressure to reach a resolution. Notably, a strike and lockout persisted for over a month last year during November and December until former labour minister Steven MacKinnon intervened by declaring an impasse and seeking intervention from the Canada Industrial Relations Board.
Jan Simpson, the president of CUPW, explained that the union transitioned from an overtime ban to the flyer ban to address Canada Post’s operational concerns. The goal remains to finalize an agreement before Christmas; however, Simpson warned that if delays persist, postal workers may resort to stronger measures to push negotiations forward.
Canada Post emphasized the impact of the flyer delivery ban on various stakeholders, including community newspapers, small businesses, and charities. The postal service urged the union to facilitate the delivery of stranded flyers before the resumption of talks. The prolonged contract discussions spanning almost two years have centered on contentious issues like wages and part-time employment against the backdrop of sustained financial losses incurred by Canada Post.