Canada Post and the union representing its workers are commenting on how weekend talks for a new contract went, with the employer calling them less productive than theyB次元官网网址檇 hoped and the union claiming their employer is focused on flexibility to deliver parcels at the lowest possible cost.

The Crown corporation says in a news release late Monday that neither side has provided the minimum 72-hour notice of their intent to start a labour disruption, but the Canadian Union of Postal Workers repeated a threat on its website that it B次元官网网址渨onB次元官网网址檛 shy away from taking the next stepB次元官网网址� if there is no real movement at the bargaining table.

The issue of parcel delivery seven days a week was referenced in both statements, with Canada Post saying significant change is required to prevent if from falling behind in the delivery market.

The unionB次元官网网址檚 statement says its priority is ensuring weekend delivery does not compromise their regular, full-time routes on weekdays, and it says it isnB次元官网网址檛 satisfied Canada PostB次元官网网址檚 plan will accomplish that.

It says its negotiators also focused on improvements to a short-term disability plan.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers could have been in a legal strike position as of Sunday.

B次元官网网址淭he threat of a strike during the holiday shipping season has already had a serious effect on our business, which has impacted volumes and revenue and will further deteriorate our financial situation,B次元官网网址� Canada Post said in its statement Monday.

B次元官网网址淭o date, the union has been either resistant to change or has required serious constraints on our flexible delivery proposals, which would negate any potential benefits of the change. We remain hopeful that further discussions will afford a breakthrough, but urgency is now required.B次元官网网址�

The unionB次元官网网址檚 statement said its negotiators remain at the table and that the negotiations committee appreciates B次元官网网址渢he tremendous amount of support from members.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淵our encouragement has not gone unnoticed,B次元官网网址� it said.

Federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon met last Thursday with the union and Canada Post management to encourage them to reach a negotiated settlement.

The union announced last week its members had voted overwhelmingly to support a strike if a deal could not be reached at the bargaining table

Canada Post has said operations are continuing as normal.