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Canada Post says there’s enough time to reach a deal

OTTAWA — Canada Post said Wednesday there is enough time to negotiate a “fair and reasonable” settlement with postal workers since there’s no potential for a strike this week.

OTTAWA — Canada Post said Wednesday there is enough time to negotiate a “fair and reasonable” settlement with postal workers since there’s no potential for a strike this week.

Both sides were back at the table Wednesday to continue negotiations aimed avoiding a labour disruption.

“With no potential for a strike this week, there is plenty of time to negotiate a fair and reasonable deal,” Canada Post said in a statement.

Under labour laws, each side has to give 72 hours’ notice before beginning a strike or lockout.

Canada Post rejected its union’s latest contract proposal on Tuesday, saying the offer would increase labour costs by $1.4 billion but then made a counter-proposal.

“Even with a continued decline in mail volumes and a $3-billion pension solvency deficit, Canada Post has tabled a competitive counter-offer to CUPW that gives employees better wages and protects their pensions and job security,” the Crown corporation said.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers, which represents about 50,000 urban postal workers, was expected to issue a updated statement later Wednesday.

However, the union had said earlier that Canada Post had dropped some demands and amended others, adding that statements from the corporation’s chief negotiator “appear to justify” a return to the bargaining table.

Negotiations to reach a new collective agreement began last fall.