Canada Post has presented the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) with a new framework for a collective bargaining agreement, in hopes of restarting negotiations and ending a weeks-long strike that could threaten Christmas deliveries across the country.

CUPW workers went on strike on November 15, with the union pushing for a 22% pay increase, better benefits, and a guarantee that Canada Post will stop its practice of hiring non-union temporary workers to fill weekend shifts. Canada Post has sought to use temporary employees to expand its delivery schedule to cover seven days a week, as it's struggled to fill weekend shifts with available CUPW postal workers. CUPW also filed an unfair labor practice complaint against Canada Post, claiming that recent layoffs of striking employees were being used as an "intimidation tactic." 

Canada Labor Minister Steven MacKinnon suspended federal mediation between the two parties on November 27, over concerns that the sides remained "too far apart on critical issues." MacKinnon met with Canada Post and CUPW on December 1, reiterating that mediation won't resume until there is "clear evidence that both parties have sufficiently modified their respective positions," adding that there has been no indication of that to date. In a statement released on December 1, the CUPW said that each side has provided adjustments to the federal mediator, and that the union is "ready" to restart negotiations. 

The U.S. Postal Service temporarily suspended international mail service to Canada on November 29, while Canada Post has told customers to expect delays for letter and parcel deliveries for as long as the strike drags on.