Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon is calling Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) to his office today after mediation to end their nearly two-week strike failed. A special mediator says both sides are too far apart on key issues for talks to continue. As a result, mediation has been temporarily suspended.
MacKinnon plans to remind both sides that they are responsible for the strike’s impact, which has delayed mail and parcel deliveries since November 15.
The 55,000 striking workers are demanding fair wages and improved working conditions. Canada Post argues these demands would increase costs and reduce flexibility in its operations.
MacKinnon says the mediator will resume work once productive bargaining can begin.
Written by Jeremy Hall