The deadline for extended mediation between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers came and went Sunday with no progress.
In a statement released Sunday night, CUPW says, "key demands on health and safety, staffing, over-burdening, job security, a reduction in precarious employment, fair wages for all and a better work-life balance aren't being met."
Back to work legislation could pass through the Senate by late Monday, but CUPW 630 President Phil Lyons says the fact that it wasn't just rubber-stamped Friday is being seen as a positive sign.
"We're not an essential service, we're not holding the flow of mail down," he says. "Obviously what the Liberals were told is that the mail is really backed-logged and I think they found out on their own that wasn't true."
Lyons tells AM800 News money isn't holding up negotiations.
"The wages, we believe are a non-issue because we're close enough that that is going to be settled. It's health and safety and overburdening that are two of the biggest issues on the table right now," Lyons says.
He says national leadership hasn't hinted towards a complete walk-out. A statement from the national office reminded the Liberal government it will have "a long memory" come election time if workers are forced into an agreement.
"We can't hold Canadians hostage and we feel more than ever that's going on. There's 35-million Canadians that don't want this, including CUPW and there's a board of directors [Canada Post] that doesn't seem to care," says Lyons.
The Senate was set to resume a special debate on the legislation introduced by the Trudeau Liberals Monday at 2pm — it passed the House of Commons on Friday.
Postal workers have been holding rotating strikes across the country since Oct. 22.