Mail service could come to a grinding halt on July 8 after Canada Post issued a 72-hour lock out notice, July 5.
Postal services could be suspended if Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) can鈥檛 work out a new bargaining agreement with its 50,000 employees.
According to a statement released by Canada Post, the crown coperation said it plans to suspend the collective agreement as of July 8, blaming prolonged negotiations, the union's strike mandate and the financial cost related to a rapid decline in mail volume.
However, Canada Post said the 72-hour notice delivered to the union does not necessarily mean it will shut down mail services on July 8.
Rather, it said, the announcement would allow the Crown corporation to "take measures that are necessary to respond to the changing business reality."
For the union, that means its workers are being threatened with a lockout, because CUPW has vowed to stay at the bargaining table.
Canada Post said its latest offer presented on June 25 was fair and reasonable and that it still hoped to negotiate a deal with the union.
The union wants to see a pay increase for its rural, mostly female carriers, who earn 28 per cent less than their urban, mostly male, counterparts to address what CUPW sees as a pay equity issue.
It also wants Canada Post to protect workers鈥� pension plans.
Canada Post claims the union鈥檚 demands were unaffordable and would cost $1 billion.
The Crown corporation and its union have agreed to keep delivering social benefits like old age security, Canada Pension Plan, the working income tax benefit, and the Canada Child Benefit, which is set to be delivered for the first time this month.
The payments will be delivered on July 20.
Kayla Byrne
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