Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu called on Canada Post to swiftly present a new offer to the union of striking postal workers. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) initiated strike action following Ottawa’s announcement of significant operational changes to address Canada Post’s financial challenges.
These changes involve discontinuing daily mail delivery, shutting down certain rural post offices, and transitioning most Canadian households to community mailboxes, which the union views as a direct assault on its members. In an interview with The Canadian Press, Hajdu mentioned the possibility of federal intervention to resolve the ongoing strike. However, she emphasized the importance of Canada Post promptly putting forward a revised offer and the union carefully considering any proposals.
Hajdu stressed that after nearly two years of negotiations, both the union and the corporation must collaborate to determine the future of Canada Post and work towards transforming it into a sustainable Crown corporation. Canada Post had intended to present a new offer on Friday but is now reevaluating it in light of the government’s recent directives.
The postal service’s financial situation is critical, with reported daily losses exceeding $10 million during the summer due to prolonged labor disputes. Federal assistance has been crucial to sustaining Canada Post in recent times. An industrial inquiry commission report earlier this year highlighted the corporation’s financial instability and recommended various measures to ensure its viability, which the government fully endorsed in its recent announcement.
CUPW negotiator Jim Gallant acknowledged Canada Post’s financial challenges but criticized the government’s proposed solutions as extreme. The union aims to use the nationwide strike to compel the government to reconsider its overhaul of Canada Post and initiate a public review process. While the Canadian Federation of Independent Business warned of the strike’s significant impact on small enterprises relying on Canada Post, it supported the government’s reform agenda.