Canada Post, CUPW remain at odds as strike approaches fifth week

Negotiations continue between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), with the two parties remaining divided on several issues.

Canada Post said it received a response from CUPW on its proposal but that it was “extremely disappointed that their intent appears to be to widen the gap in negotiations, rather than close it.”

Canada Post said it would review the offers made by CUPW and share more information as soon as possible.

“However, we don’t want to provide false hope to impacted employees, small businesses, charities and northern communities that were hoping for a speedy resolution,” Canada Post said. “While postal services around the world are working constructively to evolve their delivery approach to respond to changing customer needs, CUPW’s demands reinforce the status quo and add significant and unsustainable long-term fixed costs.”

Canada Post said one example of CUPW’s demands is the contracting in of all services, which would make its facility cleaning staff and other contracted support services permanent Canada Post employees.

CUPW said its latest proposals include member demands forwarded from its local chapters across the country and voted on by each bargaining unit that address the issues postal workers need resolved before its members can return to work.

“None of us want to be on the picket line, but we cannot continue with management steamrolling workers with random ideas they have to change work rules and impact our safety,” CUPW said in a release. “We call on Canada Post to seriously consider our proposals and recognize that they reflect the value of its workforce.”

In a statement released Dec. 7, Canada Post said it was “surprised” by public comments made by CUPW about its counter proposal. Canada Post stated its offer made significant moves to close the gap on key issues, such as weekend delivery, pensions and wages.

“We are currently operating within a confidential process, which was agreed to by both parties. With the movements we’ve made, we would have preferred to hear from CUPW through that process, rather than cause additional concern for our customers and employees,” Canada Post said.

CUPW issued strike notice to Canada Post Nov. 12 and the two parties have been working with the assistance of a special mediator since Nov. 18, but progress has been limited.