A huge sigh of relief from Ottawa.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers and Canada Post have reached tentative agreements – dodging the prospect of a labour dispute – that has loomed over the talks for months.

A statement from labour minister Maryann Mihychuk says the agreements were reached  “voluntarily,” but provides no other details about the deals themselves.

The tense negotiations were extended twice since the weekend – when a deadline expired on a 72-hour job action notice issued last Thursday by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers.

Both sides were in talks nearly around-the-clock at the request of a special mediator appointed Friday by Mihychuk.