Mediation talks between Canada Post and union suspended
CBC
Negotiations have broken down between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers for the first time since a countrywide strike began. The federally appointed special mediator decided to temporarily suspend talks between the two sides today, Canada's labour minister said in a statement posted on X Wednesday. "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," Steven MacKinnon wrote Wednesday morning. "This pause in mediation activities will hopefully permit the parties to reassess their positions and return to the bargaining table with renewed resolve."
Speaking with reporters following a Liberal caucus meeting Wednesday afternoon, MacKinnon said he was "extremely frustrated."
"These parties have had access to the the best mediation services that it is possible to have."
The labour minister has asked both Canada Post and the union to meet with him this afternoon. "They will be told that, as in all disputes, they alone are responsible for the consequences of this conflict and for its resolution," MacKinnon said in his post. The labour minister said the special mediator will return with both sides "as soon as productive bargaining can begin anew."
On Nov. 15, 55,000 Canada Post workers went on strike, following a year of negotiations on a new collective agreement with the Crown corporation, bringing the national mail service to a halt right before the busy holiday season.
Despite being on strike, the Crown corporation and the union have remained in bargaining talks. A federally-appointed special mediator has been working with both sides since Nov. 18 to reach an agreement.
Both sides initially reported progress but on Tuesday night, Canada Post accused CUPW of causing talks to "grind to a halt."
"CUPW has just informed us, through the special mediator, that it will not be responding at all," the company wrote in a statement posted late Tuesday night.
The union clapped back, accusing the Crown corporation of "half-truths and outright deception" in its version of events at the bargaining table.
"First and foremost, CUPW left the meetings Tuesday since we cannot proceed without Canada Post's negotiators," CUPW wrote in a statement.
"The union negotiators did tell the special mediator that we were unwilling to talk about one particular employer demand – something we have discussed at least a dozen times in bargaining already," the statement continued.
"Canada Post is fully aware of how far CUPW is willing to go – they just don't like the answer."
CUPW is asking for a 22 per cent wage increase over the next four years; Canada Post has offered half that. The two sides are also bargaining over benefits, working conditions and the company's desire to move to seven-days-a-week delivery.
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