Nearly two weeks after Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) members voted against Canada Post’s offers, the union and Crown corporation are set to return to the bargaining table.
In an announcement made earlier today, the corporation announced that it will meet with the union on Friday and begin by discussing CUPW’s response to the corporation’s “best and final offers” from the end of May.
“The parties will meet on Friday to resume good faith discussions with the assistance of federal mediators,” stated Canada Post.
“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.”
Both parties will also meet with federal mediators on Monday.
“Canada Post is facing an existential crisis. Letter mail volumes continue to erode and competition in the parcel line of business places ever-increasing pressure on the corporation’s operating model,” added Canada Post.
“This reality was confirmed by the independent Industrial Inquiry Commission led by Commissioner William Kaplan.”
The recent forced vote on the corporation’s offers saw nearly 70% of CUPW members in each bargaining unit vote against the offers.
“Canada Post suggested its 'best and final offers' reflected the ‘objective findings' of the Industrial Inquiry Commission,” wrote CUPW.
“But Canada Post failed to acknowledge that its offers just didn’t cut it: they were overwhelmingly rejected by members.”
The national overtime ban remains in place for CUPW members.
