LABOR RELATIONS. The special federal mediator has decided to temporarily suspend mediation between Canada Post and the Union of Postal Workers (CUPW). This was announced by Federal Labor Minister Steven MacKinnon in a publication on X.
“After several days of intensive negotiations, [le médiateur spécial] believes that the parties remain too far apart on crucial issues for mediation to be fruitful at this time,” he wrote.
“This pause in mediation activities will, I hope, allow the parties to reassess their positions and return to the negotiating table with renewed determination. I have asked both parties to meet with me at my office today. They will be informed that, as in all conflicts, they are the only ones responsible for the consequences of this conflict and its resolution,” adds the minister.
The approximately 55,000 postal workers of the state company have been on strike since November 15. Letters and packages are not processed, with the exception of government benefits.
The union is asking in particular for a salary increase of 24% over four years, while the federal Crown corporation is offering 11.5%, in addition to demanding flexibility to better cope with competition, such as delivery seven days a week. seven.
Tuesday evening, Canada Post’s media relations manager, Lisa Liu, pointed out that negotiations with CUPW “are at a standstill” while no progress has been made on the changes required to ensure the future of the state corporation.
“The parties have been working with the help of a special mediator since November 18, but progress is limited to minor points. Despite the current situation, we maintain our commitment to the negotiation process,” she said in a press release.
Ms. Liu explains that after having put on the table proposals to “compete in the parcel sector, better serve the Canadian population and stimulate the revenue growth that the company greatly needs”, CUPW will not respond at all to the proposals, according to what the special mediator reported to them.
For its part, CUPW asserts that the employer is “completely distorting the facts.” “Canada Post appears to be trying to influence public opinion and turn the population against postal workers, who have always demonstrated a deep commitment to the country and their fellow citizens. This diversion not only distorts the nature of the negotiations, it also undermines the hard work and dedication of postal employees,” the union wrote Tuesday.
