Canada Post announced Sunday that discussions with the union representing postal workers are ongoing, and neither side has issued notice of a work stoppage. In a brief statement, the Crown corporation confirmed that both parties have agreed not to provide the mandatory 72-hour strike or lockout notice as long as negotiations remain productive. Operations continue as usual.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers was legally eligible to strike as of Sunday, following the end of a cooling-off period on Saturday, but has not yet issued a strike notice. On Friday, the union stated that notice could still be given "at any time" if talks collapse.
Last week, Canada Post put forward its latest contract offer, proposing annual wage increases totaling 11.5% over four years. The offer also safeguards defined benefit pensions for current employees, along with job security and health benefits. The corporation stated that the proposal aims to “ensure current employees don’t lose ground.”
However, on Wednesday, the union responded that the offer “is far from what we are demanding and deserve.” Earlier in the week, the union had announced that its members voted overwhelmingly in favor of a strike mandate if negotiations fail, with preliminary results showing 95.8% of urban workers and 95.5% of rural workers supporting the action.
Canada Post, in a statement on Sunday, expressed concern that it is “rapidly falling behind in today’s highly competitive, customer-focused parcel delivery market.” The corporation reported a loss of $490 million for the first half of 2024, adding to its cumulative losses of $3 billion since 2018. To address these challenges, Canada Post aims to negotiate “a more flexible and affordable delivery model” that includes seven-day parcel delivery.
Federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon met with both the union and Canada Post management last Thursday to urge progress toward a negotiated agreement.
