Canada post strike continues as union’s latest demands “unsustainable”

Canada Post and the union representing about 55,000 postal workers have hit another hurdle in negotiations as the strike reaches day 27.

The Crown company said Wednesday the union’s new demands are unaffordable and “unsustainable” saying they would cost more than $3 billion over four years at a time when the postal service is suffering “large financial losses.”

The company says it has lost more than $3 billion since 2018, and will record another significant loss in 2024 – the seventh consecutive annual loss for the corporation.

They say the union is asking for a wage increase of 19 per cent over four years, including a 9 per cent increase in the first year, while Canada Post has offered 11.5 per cent over four years.

It says the union’s latest offers for the Urban and Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers do not address Canada Post’s urgent requirements to modernize operations.

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“While we recognize that CUPW has moved on its wage demands, the union’s proposal remains well beyond what the Corporation can afford, given its significant losses and deteriorating financial position,” the corporation said.

The statement came after Canada Post said Monday that the union’s latest proposals widen the gap between the two parties.

The union rebutted against the Crown company’s criticism Tuesday evening, posting a list of proposals it said are meant to bring the parties closer.

“Far from trying to ‘widen the gap in negotiations,’ the Union’s intention is to help the parties come to negotiated agreements,” reads the union’s public statement.

Federal mediation was put on hold two weeks ago, and calls for government intervention from the business community have so far been rebuffed.

Canada Post also pushed back on other demands from the union, including reiterating its proposal to create new jobs to support an expansion into weekend delivery.

The proposed expansion has been a key sticking point in negotiations, with the two sides unable to come to an agreement over how to staff the weekend.

With files from The Canadian Press.

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