Britain's Royal Mail increased its profits by 17.5 per cent last year and so triggered bonus payments of more than £400 for postal workers.
The announcement came as the British government revealed details of a £1.7 billion package to shore up the firm's pension fund. It has a deficit of £5.6 billion, up £1.1 billion on last year.
Dave Ward, deputy general secretary of the Communication Workers Union, welcomed the move. "We were informed by the government three days ago that they were prepared to invest in the company in order to safeguard the pensions of our members," he said.
"We are now waiting to see details of that investment package."
Royal Mail's operating profits were £355 million, with all of its businesses improving their financial performance.
The firm said the "outstanding" financial result meant that its 180,000 workers will each receive a bonus of £418. This amounted to a payment of almost £100 million.