Wednesday February 25, 2026 | VICTORIA, BC [Updated February 26, 2026]
News analysis by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) continue on their journey.
Canada Post said this week in an email to customers that the contractual language in the tentative agreements for the Urban and Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers (RSMC) bargaining units was finalized in January 2026.
This week CUPW has told Island Social Trends that the two parties have “reached agreements in principle in November 2025” and that “the tentative agreements have not yet been ratified by members”.
Ratification votes will take place from April 20, 2026 to May 30, 2026 (as announced by the union on February 23, 2026).
If the majority of members vote “yes” to ratify the agreements, CUPW clarifies that only then do they become CUPW’s new collective agreements.
Timeline and uncertainty:
A final vote by CUPW members will therefore be taking place about five to six months after words were put to paper as agreements in principle.
During the ratification process, the parties have agreed not to engage in any strike or lockout activity, says Canada Post.
However, in their February 23 news release CUPW tells their members that they will also be conducting a strike vote during the ratification meetings (members do not have to be a member in good standing to vote in the strike vote). They also tell members who ‘not in good standing’ that they can take part in the strike vote.
This lends uncertainty to the operations of Canada Post.
Stability for business customers:
Today Canada Post issued an update to their business customers saying how the corporation recognizes that businesses need certainty and stability.
“We understand the impact of the ongoing labour negotiations on your business, and we are committed to earning your trust and partnership,” says Canada Post, despite the continued instability that the CUPW process is creating.
However, with each week and month that passes, more small businesses must decide how to continue with their shipping and delivery needs and some may leave Canada Post as their provider and go elsewhere (oftentimes not returning, once they’ve got a new process set up elsewhere).
As Canada Post itself endures this uncertainty, they rely on operational loans from the federal government ($1.034 billion in 2025 and $1.01 billion in 2026) while also trying to adapt to a new business model that includes part-time employees and weekend delivery.
Agreements posted online:
The Urban and RSMC agreements were posted online (with links and QR codes) by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) on February 24, 2026. A few print copies are also available, which will be distributed to locals in the coming weeks.
Public endurance:
Overall, the general public long ago lost track of the back and forth between Canada Post and the postal workers union. competitors in the delivery sector have taken advantage of this uncertainty.
When in-fighting and slow decision-making continue for years, it’s difficult for the public to have concern over these issues.
Government and corporate shift:
The Carney federal Liberal government has taken steps to start turning things around. Last fall the procurement minister demanded a new business structure from Canada Post and the jobs minister is working at a high level on job transition for workers who may leave their Canada Post employment.
A distinct feature of employment with Canada Post is that it comes with a work-life guarantee. There is virtually no other job or sector that provides such a permanent guarantee, as most businesses realize how that would stand int he way of adaptability and evolution of the company, product or service.
Canada Post may be slow-minded or became that way over the years due to the labour agreement that bound them to inaction.
That the current government is working to break the juggernaut should give some hope to Canadians who still feel there should be a central Canada Post (with perhaps some new roles like bank services).
===== RELATED:
- Deplete and repeat: Canada Post gets another one-billion loan (February 7, 2026)
- Reskilling as part of federal supports: auto-making and more (February 6, 2026)
- Tentative agreement between Canada Post & CUPW in shadow of right to strike (November 22, 2025)
- Canada Post AGM: evidence of small steps forward (November 20, 2025)
- Canada Post & their workers on a journey to new realities (October 6, 2025)
- Tentative agreement between Canada Post & CUPW in shadow of right to strike (November 22, 2025)
- Quietly stabilizing Canada Post with a $1.034 billion loan (January 24, 2025)
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