Canada Post, union to hold weekend meeting aimed at breaking up contract dispute

OTTAWA — Staring at a potential strike or lockout as early as next week, top officials at Canada Post and the union representing 50,000 of the Crown agency’s employees are to meet over the weekend.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers says its national president, Mike Palecek, and Canada Post interim president Jessica Mcdonald, along with members of their negotiating teams, hope to “unblock negotiations.”

A spokesman for the agency confirmed the meeting, but could not provide a timetable or location.

The union issued wide-ranging contract proposals to the Crown corporation nearly two weeks ago, but said Thursday it had not yet received a response.