As Canada Post talks continue, business uncertainty grows as holidays near
Global News
The two sides have been reviewing contractual language that will form new collective agreements, but neither the company nor the union will say how long that may take.
As Canada Post and the postal workers’ union continue negotiating toward a new contract, the ongoing uncertainty has forced nervous small businesses to look elsewhere for their shipping needs amid the busy holiday shopping season.
The national mail carrier and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) announced last month they had reached “agreements in principle” that would set the stage for a tentative deal on new collective agreements.
Since then, the two sides have been reviewing contractual language that will form the new agreements for urban and rural postal workers. Neither the company nor the union will say how long that may take.
“We continue to review the contractual language in order to finalize tentative agreements, we have no further details to share,” a Canada Post spokesperson told Global News in an email Tuesday.
“CUPW negotiators for both bargaining units are now carefully reviewing contract language,” the union said in a statement that acknowledged the latest round of bargaining — which has dragged on for over two years in total — “has been difficult.”
The union also emphasized that strike activity has been “suspended” amid the negotiations, with Canada Post also agreeing not to lock out workers.
However, CUPW has previously said it retains the right to go back on strike at any time until tentative agreements are formally ratified by union members.
That has small businesses feeling nervous, with some seeking out competitors to ensure stability, the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses (CFIB) says.
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