It’s likely that mail service will continue in the immediate future following the announcement Sunday by Canada Post that it has withdrawn its lockout notice. The Canadian Postal Workers Union has not yet issued its response. (File photo)
Canada Post has withdrawn its 72-hour lockout notice, allowing negotiations with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) to continue without the threat of a lockout.
The ball is now in CUPW’s court, but this makes it more likely there will not be a postal shutdown in the next few days.
Canada Post made the announcement Sunday afternoon after federal Labour Minister MaryAnn Mihychuk called on both sides to continue their discussions beyond the lockout notice deadline.
CUPW has not yet issued a statement responding to the move by Canada Post.
“We are also expecting the union to honour their repeated public statements that they have no plans to issue a strike notice,” Canada Post said in a news release issued Sunday.
“Assurance from both parties that the postal system will remain open for business while we negotiate will provide the certainty that Canadians and our employees are looking for,” the statement continued.
Federal mediators have been assisting the parties in negotiations, Mihychuk said earlier Sunday.
“Our government supports a fair and balanced collective bargaining process,” she added.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Aberdeen Publishing
