Canada Post says it has received CUPW strike notice for May 23

Canada Post says postal workers’ union CUPW has issued notices “to begin strike activity on Friday, May 23 at 12am local time.”

Months of negotiations between the two have not resulted in a solution after a weeks-long work stoppage late last year.

CUPW had no statement of its own immediately available and had not independently confirmed the issuing of strike notices.

An Industrial Inquiry Commission report issued last week was broadly critical of CUPW and encouraged the union to accept many of Canada Post’s positions regarding the financial future of the business and necessary changes. CUPW dismissed that as the report of a “government-ordered commission” in which it had only reluctantly participated.

“We fundamentally disagree with the bulk of its recommendations and challenge some of the information on which it was based,” the union said on Friday.

“We have also objected to the entire process, but we felt that we had to participate in order to give voice to postal workers.”

Canada Post welcomed the report’s findings. The Industrial Inquiry Commission, established by the federal government in December, saw veteran arbitrator William Kaplan examine the dispute between the two sides and make recommendations.

Over the past few weeks, both before and after the report came out, relations between Canada Post and CUPW appeared no warmer – and little progress appeared to have been made.

Canada Post says major changes to its business model are needed to remain competitive and avoid the business effectively folding in the immediate future. CUPW has proposed alternatives that the union says are workable and acceptable to its members.

In a Monday statement to media, Canada Post said it had received strike notices for both the urban and rural-suburban bargaining units.

“A labour disruption would affect the millions of Canadians and businesses who rely on the postal service and deepen the company’s already serious financial situation,” management stated.

“It is critical that both parties focus their energies on resolving issues to reach negotiated agreements.”

Canada Post suggested the form any strike action will take is not yet clear.

“In the event CUPW initiates rotating strike activity, Canada Post intends to continue delivering in unaffected areas while working to reach negotiated agreements. Canada Post will work to minimize service disruptions, but customers may experience delays,” the corporation stated.

“In the event of a national labour disruption, mail and parcels will not be delivered and no new items will be accepted until the disruption is over. All mail and parcels in our network will be secured and delivered as quickly as possible once operations resume.”