Canada Post and union reach agreement in principle; strike suspended

Canada Post says it has reached agreements in principle with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) but have yet to finalize tentative collective agreements for signing, ending strike and lockout activity that began in September.

“While we do so, we have agreed that all strike and lockout activity is suspended,” the corporation said in a statement Friday, Nov. 21. “As the parties work to finalize the tentative agreements, we will make no comment on the details of any potential agreement.”

Canada Post had proposed a comprehensive transformation plan to the Joël Lightbound, minister of government transformation, public works and procurement, outlining actions to modernize services while ensuring financial sustainability.

The plan followed the government’s Sept. 25 directive removing barriers to reform, including converting remaining households to community mailboxes, modernizing post offices, amending letter mail service standards and reducing overhead costs. Canada Post said its proposal also supported accessibility for Canadians in rural, remote and Indigenous communities.

The measures follow a Sept. 25 federal directive for Canada Post to modernize its business, expand community mailbox use and plan for changes to rural delivery standards.