Canada Post has issued wide-ranging new contract offers to its employees – hoping to  prevent a work stoppage at the Crown corporation ahead of the busy holiday online shopping season.

The proposals come after high-level talks were held over the weekend – aimed at bridging an impasse in negotiations with the union representing 50,000 of its workers.

The talks have stalled in recent weeks, mainly over wages and working conditions.

Failure to reach agreements with the agency’s 42,000 unionized urban carriers – and 8,000 rural and suburban employees – could result in a strike or lockout once either side gives 72 hours notice.

Any job action at Canada Post this time of year could threaten deliveries of packages to consumers who shop online.

Canada Post said last year that it delivered about one million parcels per day during the holiday season – an increase of 20 per cent over the same period in 2016.