Close X
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
ADVT 
National

No strike notice so far as talks continue between Canada Post and workers' union

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 04 Nov, 2024 11:55 AM
  • No strike notice so far as talks continue between Canada Post and workers' union

Canada Post says talks are continuing with the union that represents postal workers and neither side has given notice of a work stoppage. 

In a short statement Sunday, the Crown corporation said both sides have agreed not to give the required 72-hour notice of a strike or lockout "as long as the talks are productive." It said operations are continuing as normal. 

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers could have been in a legal strike position as of Sunday, after a cooling-off period in the contract talks ended the day before, but has yet to issue a strike notice. The union said Friday that a notice could still be issued "at any time" if talks break down. 

Canada Post presented its latest contract offer last week which included annual wage increases amounting to 11.5 per cent over four years. The new proposal also protects the defined benefit pension for current employees, as well as their job security and health benefits. The corporation says the offer will "ensure current employees don't lose ground."

On Wednesday, the union said Canada Post's offer "is far from what we are demanding and deserve." The union announced earlier in the week its members had voted overwhelmingly to support a strike if a deal could not be reached at the bargaining table. It said preliminary results showed 95.8 per cent of urban workers and 95.5 per cent of rural workers voted to back the strike mandate.

Canada Post, meanwhile, said in its statement Sunday that it is "rapidly falling behind in today’s highly competitive, customer-focused parcel delivery market." Last week, the corporation said it lost $490 million in the first six months of 2024, and $3 billion since 2018. The company said it wants to negotiate "a more flexible and affordable delivery model" that would include parcel delivery seven days a week. 

Federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon met last Thursday with the union and Canada Post management to encourage them to reach a negotiated settlement.

MORE National ARTICLES

Pedestrian dies in vehicle crash

Pedestrian dies in vehicle crash
Ridge Meadows Mounties say a female pedestrian died last week after being struck by a vehicle in one of three crashes involving cyclists or pedestrians in the area in the last seven days. Police say the fatal crash happened on Lougheed Highway on October 25th, when the 49-year-old victim from Pitt Meadows died at the scene despite live-saving efforts from emergency workers.

Pedestrian dies in vehicle crash

Canadian election watchers to gather in bars, homes to watch polarizing U.S. vote

Canadian election watchers to gather in bars, homes to watch polarizing U.S. vote
Canadians engrossed in the drama of the U.S. presidential election expect to gather in bars and living rooms to watch the votes roll in Tuesday, but many say the usual fanfare of watch parties will be muted by anxiety over the especially combative race.

Canadian election watchers to gather in bars, homes to watch polarizing U.S. vote

Day parole extended for Kelly Ellard

Day parole extended for Kelly Ellard
The Parole Board of Canada has granted another six months of day parole to the woman who beat and drowned 14-year-old Reena Virk with an accomplice in 1997. Kerry Sim, formerly Kelly Ellard, has been allowed day parole regularly since 2017 and the latest decision says she has displayed "stable and cooperative" behaviour.

Day parole extended for Kelly Ellard

Union issues strike notice in B.C. port labour dispute, employers say

Union issues strike notice in B.C. port labour dispute, employers say
Employers at British Columbia's ports say they have received 72-hour strike notice from the union representing about 700 foremen in an ongoing labour dispute. The two sides had been negotiating with the help of a federal mediator for the last three days in a bid to avoid a work stoppage that would affect all ports in B.C.

Union issues strike notice in B.C. port labour dispute, employers say

Survivors call on Canada to criminalize residential school denialism

Survivors call on Canada to criminalize residential school denialism
Residential school survivors are calling on Canada to criminalize residential school denialism, echoing one of the findings in a report about unmarked graves and burial sites associated with the institutions. Doug George, a survivor of the Mohawk Institute, said Canadians need to acknowledge the schools' place in history and to ensure the children who died are not silenced.

Survivors call on Canada to criminalize residential school denialism

Judicial recount dates set for two B.C. ridings to wrap up provincial election

Judicial recount dates set for two B.C. ridings to wrap up provincial election
Vote counting in the British Columbia provincial election will finally conclude next week with judicial recounts set for two ridings. Elections BC says the province's Supreme Court has confirmed recounts in Kelowna Centre and Surrey-Guildford will take place on Nov. 7 and Nov. 8.

Judicial recount dates set for two B.C. ridings to wrap up provincial election