As the Canada Post strike approaches three weeks, the federal Labor Minister called the nationwide mail strike “highly disrespectful” to Canadians.
Speaking to reporters in Ottawa on Wednesday, Steven MacKinnon said he has been in regular contact with special mediator Peter Simpson to see where both sides stand after mediation talks were temporarily suspended last week.
“I have been in daily conversations with… the mediator who is going back and forth between the parties to see if there is a reasonable prospect that the mediation, if resumed, will be successful. He hasn’t given me that advice yet,” MacKinnon said.
“The parties are still very far apart and, in my opinion, this is, among other things, a great lack of respect towards Canadians who are suffering from this work stoppage, small businesses, people in rural and remote communities who depend on the Canada Post services and these parties. We have to put in the effort and do the work.”
On Wednesday, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business had estimated that the postal strike, which began Nov. 15, would have cost small and medium-sized businesses more than $1 billion.
As the strike continues, some, including the CFIB and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, have urged the federal government to intervene.
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MacKinnon has so far resisted those calls and reiterated Wednesday that he is “not contemplating intervention.”
“As I have explained before, these are negotiations that must be concluded between the parties and are based on fundamental issues that separate these two parties.”
Higher wages, better health benefits and changes to the postal service’s use of temporary workers are at the center of the union’s demands at the bargaining table.
Canada Post said in a statement on Sunday that it had presented the union with a “comprehensive framework for reaching negotiated agreements” and remained committed to finding a solution to the labor dispute.
“We are hopeful that these proposals will reignite discussions and, along with the support of mediators, help the parties work toward final agreements,” said Canada Post spokesman Phil Legault.
CUPW said Tuesday that its national executive board had met to discuss that offer and its response focuses on four key issues: wages, working conditions, retirement and expansion of public postal services.
To learn more about the details of what Canada Post workers want, read here.
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