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Mail may not get through next week

Possible postal service disruption could see Canadian Union of Postal Workers locked out, or on strike.
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Grand Forks' post office.

Canada Post workers may be in a legal position to strike—or find themselves locked out—as soon as Saturday, should ongoing contract negotiations fail.

Gregg Anderson, vice-president of the Grand Forks local Canadian Union of Postal Workers, said the two possible options are either a strike, or a lockout by Canada Post itself.

“The negotiations have been falling flat. As of July 2, some kind of labour action could take place,” Anderson said. “That does not mean a strike. We are legally allowed to go on strike, and it also means Canada Post can legally lock us out of the building.”

Canada Post is warning customers ofpotential service disruption.

“While there is still time to reach new agreements, a legal work disruption could occur as early as July 2, 2016. We understand the impact a work disruption would have on customers and are therefore doing everything possible to reach a negotiated settlement quickly,” said a news release published Monday.

In the event of a service disruption, both the Grand Forks Gazette and the Boundary Creek Times will be available at the Gazette office in Grand Forks (7330 Second Street) Monday through Saturday, and at Extra Foods Wednesday and Thursday.

Find the papers in Christina Lake at Huckleberry Market, also on Wednesday and Thursday.

Papers will be available in the Boundary Creek Times office in Greenwood (263 South Copper Street Monday through Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon.

In Rock Creek, find papers at Christian Valley Service during business hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the week at 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

“While we have no control over the situation, we will continue to serve our customers as best as we can,” said circulation coordinator Darlainea Redlack.