Canada Post strike: Special mediation suspended as parties ‘too far apart’

A federal mediator has temporarily suspended mediation efforts between Canada Post and its workers’ union as a nationwide strike drags into Day 13 with no end in sight.

A federal mediator has temporarily suspended mediation efforts between Canada Post and its workers’ union as a nationwide strike drags into Day 13 with no end in sight.

Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said in post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the special mediator, who was appointed by the federal government, has “decided to temporarily suspend mediation” between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW).

“After several intensive days of negotiation, his assessment is that parties remain too far apart on critical issues for mediation to be successful at this time,” MacKinnon said.

“This pause in mediation activities will hopefully permit the parties to reassess their positions and return to the bargaining table with renewed resolve.”

MacKinnon said he has also called a meeting of both parties at his office on Wednesday.

“As soon as productive bargaining can begin anew, the special mediator will re-engage the parties. Canadians are counting on them to create these conditions quickly.”

On Tuesday, Canada Post said negotiations with the CUPW had come to a grinding halt on important issues.

A special mediator had been guiding the talks between the two sides since Nov. 18, but the Crown corporation says  “progress has been limited to minor items.”