This post is being updated as we know more.
Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers have agreed in principle to a 30-day “cooling off” period, which could prevent a service interruption on Monday, July 11. However, disagreement over a condition requiring binding arbitration looks increasingly likely to block such an agreement.
CUPW proposed the measure on Friday morning. “Postal workers want to work and people need to know that it’s safe to use the mail system,” said Mike Palecek, the union’s president, in a statement.
Later in the day Canada Post issued a press release saying it agreed to hitting the pause button, on the condition that negotiations would go to binding arbitration if they were unsuccessful in the meantime. “We are fully prepared to negotiate intensively for the next 30 days under an extended ‘cooling off period’ to reach negotiated settlements,” the statement said. It also cautioned that “the parties remain far apart on key issues.”
CUPW later responded with a statement calling the condition of binding arbitration at the end of the 30-day window a “poison pill” that it would not accept.
MORE ABOUT CANADA POST:
- As Canada Post lockout looms, consider these alternatives to the mail
- Canada Post will still deliver these things during a strike or lockout
- Pension and other unresolved issues between Canada Post and the workers union
- The royal mail has been privatized, so why not Canada Post?
- Ending home delivery will save Canada Post, not kill it
- Some benefit cheques will be mailed during the potential Canada Post labour distribution
