Canada Post, union gear up for renewed bargaining with special mediator

globalnews.ca:

Canada Post and the union representing striking postal workers will head back to the bargaining table on Monday, this time with a special mediator appointed by the federal government.Members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) took to the picket lines Friday in a nationwide strike that has halted all mail and parcel service by the Crown corporation.Jan Simpson, president of CUPW, told Global News’s Amandalina Letterio on Sunday that talks between the union and employer are set to resume on Monday.Peter Simpson, a special mediator appointed by the federal government on Thursday, will guide the renewed negotiations.Jan Simpson said the union “looks forward to working with the new mediator,” adding that “the best collective agreements are those negotiated at the bargaining table.”A spokesperson for Canada Post told Global News on Sunday that the Crown corporation also supports the appointment of a special mediator, but added that “the parties remain far apart at the table.”“We remain committed to reaching new agreements at the bargaining table, and not through arbitration and discussions continue,” the spokesperson said.Labour Minister Steve MacKinnon said on Friday he “is not looking at any other solution other than negotiation” to end the Canada Post strike, which business groups have charged will have damaging consequences for the Canadian economy and small businesses.MacKinnon intervened this past week in port shutdowns across British Columbia and Quebec, ordering binding arbitration to get goods flowing again through maritime channels.Postal workers are seeking improvements in wages, benefits and health and safety conditions after years of stagnant pay through the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery.Canada Post