The federal government is urging Canada Post and its union to reach a contract agreement at the bargaining table, but says both sides should also prepare for binding arbitration, even as the Crown corporation reiterated its demand for a vote on its “final” offer.
In a statement posted on X, federal jobs minister Patty Hajdu said a negotiated settlement would be a better path to take , but if that doesn’t happen, binding arbitration is an option.
“Today I asked Canada Post and CUPW to return to the bargaining table with federal mediators to do two things: to seek to negotiate terms for an arbitration process to conclude this round of bargaining, and to have the union table its response to Canada Post’s last global offers,” Hajdu wrote.
“Arbitration is not the preferred path to an agreement for either side, and each will have priorities it wants recognized. And for that reason, attempts to negotiate a settlement must continue.”
In a written statement, Canada Post said it’s ready to negotiate, but says time is running out as the Crown corporation’s financial woes continue to grow, and negotiations have effectively stalled.
“The preferred path forward to address these has always been through a negotiated settlement,” Canada Post said. “After 18 months at an impasse, all options must be considered to address these critical priorities, including an employee directed vote.”
Over the weekend, Canada Post rejected the Canadian Union of Postal Worker’s request for binding arbitration, saying it would take too long, and could exacerbate their financial struggles.
On May 28 Canada Post made what it called its “final” contract offer, which includes 13 per cent wage increase spread over four years, as well as a $1,000 signing bonus. Two days later, it asked Hajdu to order a vote on the offer, a request blasted by CUPW.
