Canada Post employees have approved a new agreement, putting an end to prolonged conflicts and negotiations with the postal workers’ union, which included nationwide strikes. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), representing 55,000 workers, announced that the majority of its members voted in favor of the deal reached in December 2025, with an overwhelming 85.9% supporting it.
According to CUPW, 86% of rural and suburban mail carriers and 89% of urban workers endorsed the contract. CUPW’s national president, Jan Simpson, stated that despite challenges, postal workers achieved some gains in preserving job security, pensions, wage increases, benefits, and fair compensation for all working hours, averting significant cutbacks initially proposed by Canada Post.
The new contract entails a 6.5% wage hike in the first year, followed by a 3% increase in the second year, and subsequent raises aligned with the annual inflation rate for the following three years. Additionally, the agreement includes the introduction of a weekend parcel delivery model and enhanced benefits.
The affirmative vote concludes years of disputes between Canada Post and the union concerning salary adjustments and operational modifications in the postal service, which previously led workers to engage in multiple strikes. Canada Post’s President and CEO, Doug Ettinger, welcomed the positive outcome, emphasizing the importance of stability and collaboration to enhance postal services and restore public confidence.
Canada Post employees participated in the voting process from April 20 to May 30, with both parties agreeing to refrain from strikes or lockouts during the ratification period. The ratification decision follows Canada Post’s announcement of a $205 million loss in the first quarter of the year, prompting the federal government to allocate $673 million to sustain the postal service amid financial challenges.
As part of its restructuring efforts, Canada Post plans to implement reforms such as community mailboxes, weekend parcel delivery services, and potential post office closures in response to declining mail demands. Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement Joël Lightbound hailed the agreement as a significant step forward in Canada Post’s modernization journey, aiming to create a more efficient and reliable postal system. Despite the approved deal, the union remains opposed to service cuts and pledges to advocate for community interests to safeguard and enhance postal services nationwide.
