Negotiations in Canada Post workers’ strike hit major snag

Amid a contentious work stoppage at Canada’s largest domestic shipping company, a major setback threatens to delay picketing workers’ return to the job.

Labour Minister Steven Mackinnon took to social media on Wednesday, saying in part “the special federal mediator has decided to temporarily suspend mediation between Canada Post and [the union].”

He went on the say his assessment is that parties are “too far apart” on critical issues in order for mediation tactics to be effective, and appointing an arbitrator is “not in the cards.”

The ongoing strike is impacting Canadians in numerous ways, from holiday shopping to charitable donations.

Helping Hands Street Mission in Hamilton says 30 per cent of its budget comes through mail at this time of the year.

“We’re not at the point that we need to shutter our doors before the end of the year, we have enough to stabilize us, but it we don’t receive enough heading into the New Year, we could be at risk of shutting down our programming,” Lisette Sayes with Helping Hands said.

Small businesses are feeling the crunch as well, with a representative from 541 Eatery and Exchange saying more than half of their organization’s budget comes from donations, which are also delivered through the mail.

Canada Post confirmed to CHCH News they are willing to reach new agreements with a mediator, while the union claims the Crown Corporation’s negotiators left the bargaining table to speak with executives, halting talks this week.

READ MORE: ‘On its death bed’: experts say Canada Post workers’ strike detrimental