OTTAWA—  In mid-August, Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) moved into a conciliation period. Neutral conciliators helped the parties work towards negotiated agreements for both the Urban and RSMC (Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers) bargaining units. The parties could not come to an agreement and the conciliation period expired without extension on October 12. The parties have now entered a 21-day cooling-off period and continue to meet. Only after this cooling-off period would either party be in a position to initiate a labour disruption (following 72-hour advance notice). No legal labour disruption can occur before November 3. Negotiations with CUPW began in November 2023 and so far, the parties have met more than 100 times. Industry experts say about  60% to 70% of every thing that is printed goes through the mail. A larger percent of Canada Post volume is direct mail with a continual shrinking volume of letter mail.