Canada Post rejects union request for 2 weeks to review new offer ahead of strike deadline

Canada Post has rejected the union’s request for two weeks to consider a new set of proposals that were presented to the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) on Wednesday.

The Crown corporation said the new set of proposals for workers in the urban bargaining unit and the rural and suburban unit “go further on wage increases and would protect employees’ benefits and entitlements.”

“The offers also reflect the Corporation’s current realities. Canada Post has proposed important changes to its delivery model to increase its flexibility and help address the Corporation’s significant financial and operational challenges.”

Canada Post said it is offering wage increases for workers totalling 13.59 per cent over four years, six additional personal days on the calendar and better income replacement short-term disability leave.

It also includes the creation of part-time jobs to cover weekend service, which would allow for seven-day-a-week delivery.

Canada Post employees have threatened to walk off the job Friday in what would be their second strike in less than six months amid an “existential crisis” for the institution.

“Once the offers are officially presented, we will take the time to carefully review the details of the offers to ensure they align with the priorities and needs of our members,” read CUPW’s statement, which did not make any reference to a two-week request. “We will provide a comprehensive update once we’ve completed our review and analysis.

In a statement to CityNews, a Canada Post spokesperson said it declined the request, saying a further delay is “no one’s interest.”

“After two years of discussions, a lengthy strike and a five-month pause for the Industrial Inquiry Commission, our employees, customers and Canadians are looking for the certainty that only agreements can provide,” Canada Post spokesperson Lisa Liu said in a statement.

“Canada Post has informed the union that it is committed to negotiating with the assistance of the mediator. We remain ready to talk as soon as possible. It is time for us to move forward together, understanding the significant impact this prolonged situation is having on Canadians, our employees and the company. ” 

More than 55,000 letter carriers and other post office staff are set to strike at 12:01 a.m. on May 23.

Another work stoppage would affect millions of residents and businesses, who receive more than two billion letters and about 300 million packages a year through Canada Post.

The organization secured a $1.03-billion federal loan in January.

A strike or lockout would mark the second time in under six months that Canada Post halted operations after 55,000 employees walked off the job for 32 days in November and December.

With files from Christopher Reynolds of The Canadian Press