Canada Post, union resume talks as back-to-work legislation looms

OTTAWA — The two sides in the postal lockout are both now saying they’ve resumed contract negotiations with the threat of back-to-work legislation dangling over their heads.

The federal government could table the bill as early as this afternoon.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers had suggested the back-to-work order had removed any incentive for the Crown corporation to negotiate and at first said talks were stalled.

But the two sides now say they are talking.

Canada Post spokesman Jon Hamilton says his side is still aiming for a negotiated settlement.

Postal workers are marching at a number of rallies across the country from Kamloops, BC, to Labrador City in Newfoundland and Labrador to gain public support.

Workers and their supporters in Vancouver, Edmonton and Winnipeg also say they occupied the offices of Conservative MP’s this morning to oppose the federal legislation.

Canada Post locked out urban workers last week after two weeks of rotating strikes.