The special federal mediator has decided to temporarily suspend mediation between Canada Post and CUPW. After several intensive days of negotiation, his assessment is that parties remain too far apart on critical issues for mediation to be successful at this time.
This pause in…
— Steven MacKinnon (@stevenmackinnon) November 27, 2024
Posting on X, he explained, “After several intensive days of negotiation, (the special federal mediator’s) assessment is that parties remain too far apart on critical issues for mediation to be successful at this time.”
On Wednesday, MacKinnon summoned both parties to his office to deliver a clear message: they bear sole responsibility for the consequences of the conflict. He ruled out federal intervention and stopped short of introducing back-to-work legislation.
Binding arbitration, a measure used in recent disputes involving ports and railways, is also “not in the cards,” according to MacKinnon. Speaking in French, he noted, “The issues are around a transformed business model for the corporation.”
Approximately 55,000 postal workers began the strike on November 15 after years of unsuccessful negotiations between Canada Post Corporation and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW).
Canada Post reported on November 27 that nearly 10 million parcels had already been delayed due to the strike, a number expected to rise with Black Friday sales and the approaching holiday season.
