Canada Post workers have approved a new contract, bringing an end to years of disputes and negotiations between the union and the Crown corporation, which included nationwide strikes. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), representing 55,000 postal employees, announced that the majority of its members voted to ratify the agreement reached in December 2025, with 85.9% supporting it.
The union stated that approximately 86% of rural and suburban mail carriers and 89% of urban workers voted in favor of the contract. Jan Simpson, the national president of CUPW, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, highlighting that postal workers were able to secure job security, pensions, wage increases, improved benefits, and fair compensation for all hours worked, preventing significant rollbacks initially proposed by Canada Post.
Under the new contract, workers will receive wage hikes of 6.5% in the first year, 3% in the second year, and increases aligned with the annual inflation rate in the following three years. Additionally, the agreement includes the implementation of a weekend parcel delivery model and enhanced benefits.
The positive vote signifies the resolution of longstanding conflicts between Canada Post and the union regarding salary adjustments and structural modifications to the postal system, which had led to multiple strikes by employees during the negotiation period. In response to the ratification, Canada Post’s President and CEO, Doug Ettinger, expressed optimism about rebuilding the business, restoring trust in the postal service, and better serving the nation.
Employees participated in the ratification process by casting their ballots between April 20 and May 30, following an agreement by both parties to refrain from strikes or lockouts during the voting period. Despite differing opinions within the union leadership, the majority of the national executive board recommended accepting the deal, while a minority report raised concerns about compensation and workers’ rights, urging employees to reject the agreement.
The contract ratification follows Canada Post’s first-quarter financial results showing a $205 million loss in the initial three months of the year. The government recently provided a financial injection of $673 million to support Canada Post amid financial challenges. The Crown corporation has emphasized the need for modernization, including the adoption of community mailboxes, weekend parcel delivery services, and potential post office closures, to adapt to declining mail demand.
Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement Joël Lightbound hailed the contract approval as a significant advancement in Canada Post’s restructuring efforts, aiming to create a more resilient and efficient postal service. As part of the restructuring, adjustments will involve ceasing door-to-door delivery for select addresses and expanding community mailbox usage. While the union opposes postal service cuts, it plans to concentrate on supporting communities in safeguarding, enhancing, and expanding postal services following the ratified agreement.