Canada Post dropped the threat of a lockout as both sides resumed contract negotiations.
The Crown Corporation accepted the Canadian Union of Postal Workers’ proposal to extend negotiations on Friday, but only if the union agreed to binding arbitration if talks remained unsuccessful.
On Sunday it withdrew its lockout notice to “allow both parties to focus their efforts on serious negotiations,” after federal Labour minister MaryAnn Mihychuk issued a statement regarding the negotiations.
“I am pleased that there has been movement at the bargaining table and that progress is being made,” said Mihychuk. “I encourage both Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers to continue their discussions beyond the lockout notice deadline. I remain hopeful that an agreement can be reached by the parties.”
CUPW has repeatedly stated that it will not issue a strike notice, despite receiving overwhelming support among its membership to strike if needed. But the union has still not agreed to binding arbitration, stating that it fought hard against back-to-work legislation enacted in 2011 that took away postal workers’ right to free negotiations.
“The only way for us to achieve fair collective agreements is through negotiations that are not restricted in any way,” reads a recent member bulletin.
Over the past few weeks, use of the postal service has slowed. Uncertainty caused many clients to find alternative providers to deliver their goods and mail.
In a statement released Friday, Canada Post said parcel volumes from major ecommerce customers have declined by more than 80 per cent, and that the amount of mail deposited across the network on Thursday was down more than 80 per cent compared with the same day last year.
Gazette plans
The St. Albert Gazette will still be available in the event of a mail disruption.
St. Albert, Morinville, and Cardiff will not be affected by a strike or lockout, since these areas are covered by door-to-door delivery by Gazette carriers.
However, there are about 4,300 subscribers in Sturgeon County who receive the newspaper through Canada Post. If mail delivery is suspended, news boxes will be placed at strategic locations. A map is available on the Gazette website at stalbertgazette.com/distribution.
There is a small number of national subscribers who won’t be able to receive the paper if there is a disruption. An e-edition of the Gazette is available on our website.
