'Talks have ground to a halt': Canada Post, Union negotiations enter 12th day

As the Canada Post strike enters its 12th day, Canada Post says talks have ground to halt.

In a Nov. 26 update, Canada Post said it is now considering options on how to move negotiations forward with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW).

According to a news release, Canada Post put forward “detailed proposals” to bring more flexibility to its mail delivery model, which it called “outdated.”

“These changes are necessary to better compete in the parcel business, better serve Canadians, and drive much-needed revenue growth,” read a release from the Crown corporation.

“However, after not responding over the past several days, CUPW has just informed us, through the special mediator, that it will not be responding at all.”

Canada Post says it hoped the union would be dealing with the situation with more urgency but says “that has not been the case.”

Union says Crown corporation is misrepresenting negotiations

In a separate media release, CUPW says Canada Post is issuing “outright misrepresentation(s)” about weekend negotiations.

The union claims that Canada Post informed the public and CUPW members, through the media, that negotiations spent Saturday bargaining about cleaners working inside Canada Post facilities.

The union says that is untrue and weekend negotiations focused on Canada Post’s latest proposal, which included employees being hired part-time for Saturday only delivery (about eight hours). The union said that people cannot live off that.

“Canada Post appears to be trying to sway public opinion and turn Canadians against postal workers, who have continually demonstrated a deep commitment to the country and its citizens,” the union said.

“This tactic of distraction not only mischaracterizes the nature of the negotiations but undermines the hard work and dedication shown by postal employees.”

The union is also claiming that Canada Post is not responding to “urban demands” presented a month ago.

Earlier this week, the corporation said it is down nearly 10 million parcels since the strike began and says the strike is impacting small businesses, charities and remote communities the most.

"With losses of more than $3 billion since 2018 and a $315-million loss before tax in the third quarter of 2024, Canada Post requires negotiated agreements that let all employees focus on the future, without adding new fixed costs that will hamper its ability to compete," the corporation says.

The strike began on Nov. 15 after a year of bargaining.