Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) will head back to the negotiating table, Friday.
In a news release, Wednesday, the Crown corporation says it is to hear the union’s response to their best and final offers presented, May 28.
“The parties will meet on Friday to resume good faith discussions with the assistance of federal mediators. The company looks forward to receiving a detailed and comprehensive response from CUPW that addresses the real, significant and increasing challenges faced by the postal service,” says Canada Post.
The union rejected the Corporation’s last final offer, August 1, after a voting process that started July 21 involving more than 53,000 members.
The vote was forced by the federal government, with Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu saying it was in the public interest.
The two sides had been negotiating for more than 18 months, with over 200 meetings and 33 days of strike and lockout in the fall.
CUPW had previously rejected a request by Canada Post for a final vote, instead pushing for binding arbitration.
However, the Corporation has said it is not interested in binding arbitration, adding the process would be “long and complicated” and likely last more than a year.
Canada Post says they are facing an “existential crisis” as letter mail volumes continue to erode and competition puts pressure on their operating model.
“While negotiations remain unresolved, there remains an urgent need to modernize Canada Post and protect this vital national service for Canadians,” says Canada Post.
Meanwhile CUPW says they are tired negotiations that go nowhere and it’s time for Canada Post to get serious and “negotiate now”.
-with files from Brad Perry
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