Labor Minister Stephen McKinnon said the federal government has no plans to intervene in negotiations at this time after the union representing Canada Post workers issued a 72-hour strike notice Tuesday morning.
“We hope to reach an agreement at the table,” McKinnon said at a news conference Tuesday. “The issues at hand in the Canada Post negotiations are significant. They are important.”
He added: “There’s a lot of work to do. I know both parties are negotiating today.” “We will make every effort to bring them to the table and continue the conversation, where we hope to achieve a negotiated solution.”
When Mr. McKinnon was pursued, he claimed that the government’s plan was to “support collective bargaining” and that it was “devoting all necessary resources to support the parties”, in other words, implementing “mediation support”. did.
If push comes to shove, the Liberals could challenge pushing the back-to-work bill through the Commons, as work in the Commons has largely stalled since September due to the Conservative-led privileges debate.
Meanwhile, both sides at the negotiating table have expressed disappointment with the current state of negotiations.
Canada Post employees have a long list of demands, including pay increases in line with inflation, “improved staffing,” more paid medical days, more paid meal and break time, and better rights for temporary workers.
A statement from the union representing Canada Post workers said it was legally in a position to strike as of Friday, but it has not been determined whether a labor movement will take place immediately.
The statement says next steps will be determined based on Canada Post’s actions at the negotiation table.
CUPW national president Jan Simpson told CTV News Channel: “We haven’t decided what the strike will look like yet. We’re hoping to reach a negotiated contract to prevent an actual strike from occurring. ” he said.
“We are trying to get a fair wage, we are trying to improve health and safety issues, we are trying to get a pension and retire with dignity, and we are trying to expand the public post office. “I’m trying,” she said. He also said.
“Arbitration agreements are not good for anyone,” Simpson said, adding that the union expects Canada Post to “come to the table with a real solution” to address both sides’ concerns. Ta.
The union’s national president said negotiations have been going on for nearly a year, but there has been no “significant movement” in that time.
Canada Post said in a statement Tuesday that it will continue to deliver mail even if the union begins rotating strike action. Benefit checks such as the Canada Child Benefit, Old Age Security and Canada Pension Plan will also continue to be delivered despite the disruption.
“Canada Post has advised the union that as of Friday, the current collective bargaining agreement no longer applies unless a new agreement is reached,” the statement reads. “We will then be in a position to adjust our operations based on operational realities and business needs, using the tools provided by the Canada Labor Code.”
The company said the challenges it faces will “intensify” if it fails to adapt to competition from today’s home delivery market.
And in a negotiation update released last week, Canada Post said negotiations were “not as productive as expected.”
“Urgency is needed at the table and we remain hopeful that further discussions will lead to a breakthrough.” “However, due to the deteriorating financial situation and the impact on customers, the company may need to review its offer.”
According to Canada Post, the company lost about $748 million last year and $490 million in the first half of this year alone.
Despite increasing stamp prices, Canada Post says without additional borrowings it will be “below our operating capital and cash reserve requirements by early 2025.”
“Seven-day delivery is absolutely critical,” Canada Post spokesperson John Hamilton said in an interview with CTV News on Tuesday. “Having a flexible delivery model that allows us to offer a variety of services and more affordable services is absolutely critical.”
“The parcel business has changed a lot in the last few years due to COVID-19,” he added. “The competition is just insane.”
Hamilton said the company wants to resolve the labor dispute as soon as possible so it can evolve to compete, especially in the delivery market. Without these changes to the framework for companies, he says, there is no room to meet union demands.
With files from CTV News’ Colton Playle
