Prince George, B.C.-  Canada Post has notified  the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW)  of 72 hour lock out notice.

That means mail could stop  moving   as early as Friday.

Canada Post says  the notice doesn’t mean  it will  lockout  the workers,  but that it is following the  contract procedures .   As  of Friday, Canada Post says it will ” be changing the terms and conditions of employment for all employees represented by the union starting Friday, July 8, 2016. The uncertainty caused by the prolonged negotiations and the union’s strike mandate is having a negative and escalating impact on the postal service.”

In a release issued overnight, Canada Post says its customers have already taken measures to  avoid the risk of  a disruption in mail service,  and that:

• Nearly all of its largest e-commerce customers have already moved most or all of their parcel volumes to other carriers, resulting in a volume decline of at least 75 per cent from these customers.
• The number of parcels arriving at the largest plants via transport trucks has declined to the point where there often are not enough parcels to last an entire processing shift.
• Lettermail is down in many facilities by as much as 50 per cent and over the weekend, commercial customers deposited half the mail they usually deposit.

Under the new terms and conditions, employees will continue to receive their regular pay and some benefits such as applicable prescription drug coverage. Other items will be cancelled in line with the statutory minimum conditions established under the Canada Labour Code. The Corporation will also have the flexibility to adjust staffing according to the amount of work required.

Regardless of  a disruption in service, Canada Post  says government  cheques , such as  pension and old age security, will be delivered.