Union says it met with Canada Post for first time since mediator suspended talks

The union representing Canada Post workers says it met with the Crown corporation on Monday, the first time the two sides have convened since a federal mediator suspended negotiations nearly two weeks ago.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) shared its revisions to the latest proposal from Canada Post, which was submitted on Friday.

"None of us want to be on the picket line, but we cannot continue with management steamrolling workers with random ideas they have to change work rules and impact our safety," union president Jan Simpson wrote in a statement released Monday afternoon.

Outlining separate demands for its urban and rural and suburban mail carriers, the union said it made the following combined demands for both groups:

• Wage increases of nine per cent, four per cent, three per cent and three per cent over four years
• A cost of living allowance
• Ten medical days in addition to seven days of personal leave
• An increase in short-term disability payments to 80 per cent of regular wages
• Improved rights for temporary workers and on-call relief employees

In a statement shared with CBC News, a spokesperson for Canada Post said the Crown corporation is "extremely disappointed" with the union's latest offer.

"In the last few weeks, Canada Post has made several important moves to close the gap and reach negotiated agreements, but the union has reverted to their previous positions or increased their demands," the statement read.

The Crown corporation reiterated its dire financial circumstances, which it says have been exacerbated by a 55,000-member strike now on its 25th day.

It said its latest proposal for urban workers included wage increases above previous offers, retirement pensions, up to seven weeks vacation for long-tenured employees, and provisions for job security.

On Friday, the union said it was reviewing what Canada Post put forward and questioned when the mediation process will officially resume. The union said it was committed to returning to the bargaining table.

The strike began Nov. 15, and federal mediation was put on hold nearly two weeks ago, with mediators concluding that the sides were too far apart in negotiations.

Calls for government intervention have been mounting from the business community, but so far the government has said it's not stepping in.