Canada Post and its postal workers’ union have reached tentative agreements, the parties announced on Monday, avoiding any strike or lockout activity during the holidays while the ratification process is in place.

The Crown corporation and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), which represents 55,000 employees, have been in negotiations for the past two years. “This round of bargaining unfolded amid an unprecedented attack on postal workers and the public post office,” the union said. “Successive federal governments intervened numerous times, which limited our leverage and delayed our ability to negotiate new agreements.”

The parties reached a deal in principle in November and have since finalized contractual language for new collective agreements, which, if ratified, would be in effect for five years until Jan. 31, 2029.

“The tentative agreements deliver wage increases, with protections against inflation, improved benefits and job security,” said CUPW national president, Jan Simpson.

Simpson said the five-year agreements provide “much needed stability” to

postal workers and the communities across the country. The workers are set to vote on ratification in early 2026. The union’s national executive board is recommending that members accept the agreements.

Canada Post said that as part of the tentative agreements, the parties have agreed to wage increases of 6.5 per cent in year one, including five per cent already received, and three per cent increase in year two. For years three to five, annual wage increases would match the annual inflation rate of the Consumer Price Index.

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