Canada Publish stated talks to finish an nearly two-week strike by its staff represented by the Canadian Union of Postal Employees have reached a standstill.
“The events have been working with the help of a particular mediator since November 18, however progress has been restricted to minor gadgets,” stated the Crown Company Tuesday night time. “Regardless of the present state of affairs, we stay dedicated to the bargaining course of.”
Holding up progress on the extra substantive points, it stated, are measures to make sure Canada Publish’s viability.
“All through these negotiations, Canada Publish has put ahead detailed proposals to carry extra flexibility to its outdated, mail-based supply mannequin,” continued the postal service. “These modifications are obligatory to higher compete within the parcel enterprise, higher serve Canadians, and drive much-needed income progress.”
Federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon additionally introduced on Wednesday that mediation within the dispute has been suspended.
“After a number of intensive days of negotiation, his evaluation is that events stay too far aside on crucial points for mediation to achieve success at the moment,” MacKinnon posted on X. “This pause in mediation actions will hopefully allow the events to reassess their positions and return to the bargaining desk with renewed resolve.”
Just lately, Canada Publish reported it misplaced $315-million earlier than tax within the third quarter of this yr. Since 2018, it is misplaced greater than $3-billion in income.
Canada Publish accuses the union of not responding over the previous a number of days, and “CUPW has simply knowledgeable us, by means of the particular mediator, that it’ll not be responding in any respect.”
Over on the Canadian Union of Postal Employees, union officers accused Canada Publish of misrepresentation.
“Canada Publish knowledgeable the general public and CUPW members, by means of the media, that CUPW negotiators had spent Saturday on the bargaining desk speaking about cleaners working inside Canada Publish services. That is an outright misrepresentation,” stated a submit on the union’s web site.
It says negotiators as an alternative labored on a proposal offered Friday night time on weekend supply. The proposal, it stated, would see the postal service rent part-time staff for Saturday-only supply, which isn’t sufficient hours to supply these staff with a dwelling.
“Canada Publish seems to be attempting to sway public opinion and switch Canadians in opposition to postal staff,” continued the submit. “This tactic of distraction not solely mischaracterizes the character of negotiations however undermines the arduous work and dedication proven by postal staff.”
CUPW additionally accused Canada Publish of not responding to calls for from its city bargaining group, which was offered a month in the past.
Canada Publish staff have been off the job since November 15.
