Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu called on Canada Post to swiftly present a new proposal to the striking postal workers. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) initiated strike action following Ottawa’s announcement of significant operational changes at the Crown corporation to tackle its financial woes.
The alterations entail discontinuing daily mail delivery, shuttering certain rural post offices, and transitioning nearly all Canadian households to community mailboxes, measures the union deems as a direct assault on its members. In an interview with The Canadian Press, Hajdu indicated that federal intervention to resolve the ongoing strike was a possibility. However, she emphasized the urgency for Canada Post to introduce a fresh offer while urging the union to seriously consider any forthcoming propositions.
Hajdu stressed that after almost two years of negotiations, both the union and the corporation must collaborate to shape a sustainable future for Canada Post. Highlighting the need for prompt action, she emphasized that once an offer is presented, there should be no delay from either party in reaching an agreement.
Canada Post had been poised to unveil a new offer on Friday but is now revising it in light of the government’s recent announcement. According to Canada Post spokesperson Jon Hamilton, there remains a significant disparity between the corporation and the union. The revised offer will align with the government’s directives aimed at stabilizing the postal service and alleviating the burden on taxpayers.
The financial predicament of Canada Post is severe, with reported daily losses exceeding $10 million during the prolonged labor uncertainty over the summer. The company has relied on federal assistance to sustain its operations in recent years. An industrial inquiry commission earlier this year determined that the Crown corporation was effectively insolvent and recommended various measures to ensure its viability, all of which were adopted by the government in its recent announcement.
CUPW negotiator Jim Gallant acknowledged Canada Post’s financial challenges but criticized the government’s proposed solutions as extreme. The union aims to leverage the nationwide strike to prompt the government to reconsider its overhaul of Canada Post and initiate a public mandate review.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business warned of the substantial impact the strike will have on small enterprises reliant on Canada Post services. Despite this, the organization supported Ottawa’s push for the planned reforms.
Overall, the ongoing labor dispute between Canada Post and its workers underscores the pressing need for collaboration and swift resolution to secure the future viability of the Crown corporation.