An 'Agreements in Principle' has been reached by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers and Canada Post.

"We can't give details of the agreements at this time, but we're pleased that our members don't have to resort to taking job action," said Mike Palecek, national president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers.

The deal includes both urban and rural bargaining units.

In a statement from Canada Post, the Crown corporation says the agreements are for two years, rather than the typical four-year contracts negotiated in the past. The issues facing the Corporation, with declining mail volumes and a growing pension obligation, are complex. This approach provides more time for thoughtful discussion and analysis on how to best address these issues without the ongoing threat of a work disruption.

The agreements must be ratified by fifty thousand postal workers across the country before they become the new contracts.