Canada Post negotiations hit day 8, affecting businesses and travel plans

Many workers remain on the picket line as negotiations between Canada Post and the union representing about 55,000 people reaches day 8.

Canada Post has told CHCH News that there has been some movement at the bargaining table with the help of government-appointed mediators, but it’s not enough to reach a deal.

As the strike continues a number of items that typically get delivered through the mail are currently pause, including passports.

Postal service strike affecting holiday travel plans

Around 85,000 passports that are printed and ready to be mail are on pause for the duration of the strike.

Service Canada said they put a temporary hold on mailing out passports Nov. 8, in anticipation of any strike action.

This comes at a time when people might be looking to go on holiday vacations and urgently need their passports.

Pick-up service is available at around 60 Service Canada locations.

READ MORE: Canada Post negotiations resume as special mediator joins talks

In the meantime, some municipalities are bringing awareness to residents when it comes to bills.

The City of Thorold says that property owners and residents are still responsible for payment and regular penalties will apply.

Residents are encouraged to sign up for e-billing but water bills are available for pick-up there at city hall.

The Town of Grimsby will be hand delivering water bills for residents in Area C between Kerman Avenue and Maple Street.

Canada Post maintains its 11.5 per cent wage increase over four years, which they say isn’t close to the 23 per cent wage increase the union has been asking for.

“We remain committed to reaching new agreements at the bargaining table. Discussions continue with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) to achieve negotiated agreements with the support of the special mediator,” reads an email from the crown company.

Spokesperson with the Canada Post Jon Hamilton told CHCH News that the future of delivery services includes a plan to go seven days a week, utilizing a mix of part-time and full-time workers and deliveries on the weekend.

“We need to come through these negotiations with an agreement with our union that prepares us for the future – the future in delivery is parcels,” he said.

The union says that they want to move forward with urban workers have been wanting to work on weekends for a long time, saying people want to do the work.

Local Postal Workers Union President Tracey Langille says, “our focus is that we don’t want to create a second-class of employees on the weekends, we want all of the jobs at Canada Post to be full-time, good, secure jobs.”

The union posted their own update on negotiations Thursday saying if both parties cannot agree on a value or deal, an arbitrator would make a final decision.

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