Prince George, B.C.  –  There’s a possibility,  however slight,  that a disruption in postal service could be avoided next week.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers  requested an extension of the “cooling off period” for another 30 days,   during which time they   would agree  to  be involved in “intense” negotiations.  But the proposal has a catch.   If the cooling off period  is  to be extended,  the terms and conditions of the existing  contract must be extended as well.  The union has dangled the carrot of dropping  its  unfair labour practices against  Canada Post, if the corporation agrees to the extension.

Canada Post has  agreed to the extension,  but has its own condition to that  agreement.  Saying if the two parties  fail to “successfully conclude negotiations, both parties must agree to binding arbitration.”

The Union has not yet responded to that “condition”, so as it stands right now,   Canada Post   is prepared to close the doors and shut down service as of 12:01 am ( Eastern Time) on Monday  July 11th.