Canada Post and union still in negotiations, no strike yet

Canada Post and the union that represents its workers, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), are continuing to bargain with both sides confirming no strike notice has been issued. Though negotiations are ongoing with reports of progress being made, neither side will issue the requisite 72-hour notice – what’s known as a strike notice or lockout notice – that would precede a work stoppage.

While CUPW was officially in a legal strike position effective yesterday, the union is so far holding off. Members voted in favour of a strike early last week, showing they were willing to walk off the job if necessary.

Federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon sat down with senior officials from Canada Post and the union last Thursday in an effort to encourage a negotiated settlement.

The latest contract proposal from Canada Post puts in a proposed wage increase of 11.5% over four years, but the union believes more can be done: defined benefit pensions, greater job security, leave entitlements, health benefits, and economically fair wage increases.

As negotiations between Canada Post and CUPW continue, there seems to be a commitment to finding a settlement that responds to the needs of postal workers with consideration for the proposals put forward by the company.