Canada Post has finally reached a tentative agreement with its largest group of unionized workers after a bitter dispute that has dragged on for more than a year.
The post office and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers issued brief statements saying the deal was reached Friday, but neither side is releasing any details.
A series of rotating strikes by CUPW prompted Canada Post to lock out some 50,000 of its employees last year.
The Harper government became involved and pushed back-to-work legislation through Parliament that forced workers to accept wages that amounted to less than Canada Post's last offer.
On other issues, the law imposed a form of winner-take-all arbitration in which both the union and the post office make a final offer, one of which would be accepted.
But the union twice objected to the government's choice of an arbitrator and the issue was fought in the courts.
The statements from both sides didn't make it clear if an arbitrator was involved in the deal reached.
"We are pleased with this milestone and now look forward to devoting our collective energies to transform the business to face digital realities," said a brief statement from Canada Post.
The union said it was in the process of organizing ratification votes for the deal.
