By Robb M. Stewart
OTTAWA--The Canadian Union of Postal Workers has issued a 72-hour strike notice, putting mail carriers in a legal position to strike, starting Friday, if a negotiated agreement with the government-owned postal agency isn't reached.
The union's executive board hasn't determined if a job action will take place immediately, and said that would depend on what happens at the bargaining table in the coming days. However, a walkout would hit at deliveries leading into the busy holiday season.
Negotiations to reach a collective deal have been ongoing for almost a year. Canada Post late last month presented workers with a new offer that includes annual wage increases amounting to 11.5% over four years, as well as pension protections, ongoing protection for wages against unforeseen inflation, and improved leave entitlement for current employees.
The union, which is bargaining for close to 45,000 urban and rural and suburban mail carriers, said the two sides remain far apart on a number of issues. It is calling for wage increases in line with inflation, cost-of-living-allowance payments to be rolled into basic wages, 10 paid medical days, improved rights for temporary employees and paid meal and rest periods for workers, among other demands.
Since 2018, Canada Post has lost more than 3 billion Canadian dollars, the equivalent of about $2.2 billion, with a string of six consecutive annual losses. It recorded a loss from operations in the first six months of this year of C$490 million.
Write to Robb M. Stewart at robb.stewart@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
11-12-24 0706ET
