As negotiations continue between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, the strike action that was to start from midnight on Sunday has been put on hold for 24 hours.
“We’ve amended our notice in a last-ditch effort to reach a negotiated agreement before we are forced to start working to rule,” said Mike Palecek, national president of the CUPW, in a news release.
“Postal workers are more than ready to take action for pay equity, pensions and decent jobs if that’s what it takes but we’ll keep talking if there’s a chance to settle this peacefully.”
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The union served 72-hour strike notice on Thursday night. It said that if there was no deal by midnight Sunday, it would begin job action on Monday by having its members refuse to work overtime on a rotating basis, starting in Alberta and the Northwest Territories.
A federally appointed mediator was brought in Friday. “I am very happy with progress at the negotiating table. At the request of the mediator, both parties have agreed to continue negotiations until midnight tonight,” said Employment, Workforce Development and Labour Minister MaryAnn Mihychuk, in a statement.
“It is an encouraging sign of ongoing progress and a renewed determination to negotiate a new collective agreement. I remain focused on supporting the ongoing negotiations, and will continue to closely monitor the situation.”
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