VICTORIA — The B.C. Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction says it is taking steps to ensure provincial disability and income assistance cheques are not delayed if Canada Post workers strike later this week.

About 55,000 postal workers could walk off the job early Friday morning after the Canadian Union of Postal Workers issued a 72-hour strike notice.

The ministry says all cheques that were scheduled to be mailed for May will instead be sent directly to ministry offices for distribution. It says those who are unable to pick up their cheque can contact the ministry to make alternative arrangements.

About 88 per cent of recipients are expected to receive their payments by direct deposit, which will not be affected by any potential strike.

Mailed cheques for the province’s Seniors Supplement will be delivered by Canada Post volunteers through the Socio-Economic Cheque Delivery program, the ministry says.

It adds that lessons were learned from the Canada Post strike in November and December of last year, when the ministry says it successfully distributed 98 per cent of monthly payments.

CUPW says it issued the strike notice after Canada Post indicated it may unilaterally change working conditions and suspend employee benefits. The union’s collective agreements are set to expire Thursday.

In a statement on its website, Canada Post says it remains committed to reaching collective agreements that protect and enhance wages and benefits while reflecting the corporation’s current realities.

It notes it has recorded more than $3 billion in pre-tax losses since 2018, and expects to post another significant loss for 2024.