With two days to go before an expected Canada Post worker strike, the Crown corporation will table a new offer for discussion, the union representing postal workers says.
On Monday, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) issued a 72-hour strike notice to Canada Post. On Wednesday, the union said it will consider a fresh offer from the Crown corporation.
“After walking away from the table for the third time, Canada Post will finally table their global offers today. Our negotiating committee is currently on the way to receive the proposals,” CUPW president Jan Simpson said in a statement.
Simpson added that the union will “carefully review the details of the offers” once they are presented to “ensure they align with the priorities and needs of our members.”
“We will provide a comprehensive update once we’ve completed our review and analysis,” the statement said.
Global News reached out to Canada Post for comment but did not hear back by the time of publication.
What’s at stake?
At issue between the union and Crown corporation are key demands around worker pay, the use of temporary workers, weekend delivery, benefits and pensions, and how Canada Post could meet a “critical financial situation” that experts have said could go “the route of Blockbuster.”
On Monday, Canada Post said it was notified by CUPW that workers for both urban and RSMC bargaining units issued strike notices.
The Crown corporation has warned that millions of Canadians would be affected by a strike.
“In the event CUPW initiates rotating strike activity, Canada Post intends to continue delivering in unaffected areas while working to reach negotiated agreements,” the organization said in a statement.
In the event of a national labour disruption, mail and parcels will not be delivered and no new items will be accepted until the disruption is over.
However, some socioeconomic cheques will still be delivered under an agreement between Canada Post and the union, as was the case during the strike late last year.
On Friday, a report by an industrial inquiry commission called Canada Post “effectively insolvent” and stated that daily door-to-door letter mail delivery for individual addresses should be phased out.
In a statement, CUPW criticized the report.
“The Union, band councillors, municipalities, international organizations — and the public — took the time to research and send in thorough submissions in our support. All were dismissed in the report. Instead, the report simply regurgitates Canada Post’s proposals and positions,” a CUPW statement read.