They’re not back at the bargaining table yet, but Canada Post and its 55,000 striking workers are still negotiating — sort of.
As the strike edges towards a third week, Canada Post said Thursday it had received a counterproposal from the Canadian Union of Postal Workers Wednesday evening to an offer the company made on the weekend.
“We received the union’s proposal through the mediator last night and are reviewing it,” Canada Post spokesperson Lisa Liu said in an emailed statement Thursday morning.
Wednesday evening, in a bulletin to members, CUPW said it has been ready to return to the bargaining table since talks were called off by the federal mediator Nov. 28. The strike began Nov. 15.
“The Union has been ready to return to the mediation process since it was suspended by the Government’s special mediator,” the union said. “As such, our counter proposals contain movement on both our demands and Employer demands to help bring the parties closer to an agreement.”
Details of the counterproposal weren’t available.
Canada Post has previously said it has offered wage increases totalling 11.5 per cent over four years and additional paid leave, while protecting the defined benefit pension and job security provisions.
The union has called for a cumulative wage hike of 24 per cent over four years.
The company is also seeking to provide weekend deliveries, and a greater share of part-time staff.
