Canada Post, Union reach tentative deal to end national strike

Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) have reached a tentative agreement to end a nationwide strike that has disrupted mail delivery since late September.

While full details have not yet been released, CUPW said the two sides have “agreed on the main points” and that all strike activity has been suspended. The union noted that negotiations will now focus on finalizing contract language for a member vote, and it is maintaining the right to strike until the agreement is ratified.

Canada Post confirmed the development, saying strike and lockout actions would be halted pending the union’s vote.

The strike began on 25 September as a full stoppage before shifting to rotating walkouts amid a long-running dispute over wages, benefits, and working conditions. The labour action came just hours after the federal government announced sweeping reforms to address Canada Post’s mounting losses.

The proposed changes include ending door-to-door delivery for about four million households, shifting non-urgent letter mail from air to ground transport, closing some post offices, and granting the agency more flexibility to raise prices. Ottawa argues the reforms are necessary as Canada Post faces deep structural challenges, including a projected C$1.5 billion loss this year following a C$1 billion loss in 2023.

Like postal services in the UK and the US, Canada Post has seen steep declines in letter mail and rising competition in parcel delivery, placing pressure on its three main revenue streams.

Postal workers last staged a major strike in November 2024, and the government ordered them back to work during the busy holiday season.