Canada Post and the Union of Postal Workers are sitting down with a mediator over the next seven days.
It comes after Labour Minister Patty Hajdu appointed Elizabeth MacPherson as the mediator-arbitrator in the negotiations.
The talks can extend past 7 days up to 14 if both sides consent.
After those 14 days, if an agreement can’t be reached, the mediator will arbitrate a number of outstanding issues that include the health and safety of employees, equal pay, and better treatment of temporary and part-time workers.
Meanwhile, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers is heading to court to push back against back-to-work legislation.
The union says it will file a constitutional challenge with the Ontario Superior Court.
National President Mike Palacek says the bill violated their right to free collective bargaining.
Constitutional lawyer for CUPW Paul Cavalluzzo alleges Canada Post misled the government by claiming the strike caused a backlog of packages.
He argues the circumstances didn’t justify the back-to-work bill.
It was passed on November 26 and came into effect the next day.
CUPW Challenges Back to Work Legislation in Court https://t.co/YSLYCvBWsd #c89 #negotiatedontlegislate #canlab #cdnpoli
— cupw (@cupw) December 11, 2018