Canada Post says it鈥檚 waiting for a response from the union representing some 55,000 striking workers after it offered a new framework for negotiations over the weekend.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers has said its negotiators are reviewing the proposal.

Canada Post on Sunday said it hoped the document would reignite discussions with the union in the dispute that has halted mail delivery during the busy holiday season.

The Crown corporation says its plan includes proposals to bring greater flexibility to Canada Post鈥檚 delivery model and shows 鈥渕ovement on other key issues鈥� in the labour dispute.

In a bulletin to members, the union says both it and Canada Post have adjusted their demands in the hopes that federal mediation can start back up again.

The government had appointed a mediator to help the two sides reach an agreement, but that was put on hold last week.

In a post on X Sunday, federal labour minister Steven MacKinnon said he spoke with both sides, reminding them 鈥渢hat it is their duty and responsibility to resolve differences in a dispute that is impacting so many Canadians.鈥�

He said mediation will only resume 鈥渙nce the special mediator has clear evidence that both parties have sufficiently modified their respective positions.鈥�

Canada Post said in its statement Sunday it would not be providing further details on the framework outside of the negotiations, in order to facilitate talks.

鈥淲e understand the impact (the union鈥檚) national strike is having on our employees and so many Canadians. Canada Post remains committed to negotiating new collective agreements that will provide our employees and customers with the certainty they are looking for,鈥� the statement said.

The union, meanwhile, chastised Canada Post in a separate statement late Sunday, saying the employer 鈥渃hose to bargain in the media鈥� before the union had the opportunity to review and analyze the new documents. It characterized the documents as adjustments to Canada Post鈥檚 demands rather than offers, and that both sides submitted documents in order to give the special mediator a basis for restarting negotiations.

鈥淲e all know that the best collective agreements are those negotiated at the bargaining table,鈥� the statement said.

鈥淲e hope that the Special Mediator sees enough movement to restart the mediation process.鈥�

The latest move from Canada Post comes after the union filed an unfair labour practice complaint with the Canada Industrial Relations Board over the layoffs of striking employees, saying the layoffs are an 鈥渋ntimidation tactic鈥� that violates the Canada Labour Code.

No details have been provided on the extent of the layoffs, which Canada Post has said are temporary.

Canada Post spokeswoman Lisa Liu said in a statement late last week that the Crown corporation had received the complaint and was reviewing it.

Liu said Canada Post denies any violation of the labour code.