Postal workers in Winnipeg have voted overwhelmingly to give their union a mandate to strike as early as Saturday if talks break down with Canada Post.

Canadian Union of Postal Workers are divided into urban and rural bargaining units. In Winnipeg, urban units voted 98 per cent in favour of a strike mandate, while rural postal workers voted 100 per cent in favour of a strike, a CUPW news release says.

Across the country, the urban unit of postal workers voted 94 per cent in favour of a strike mandate and the rural unit voted 91 per cent in favour.

CUPW has been in contract negotiations since late 2015 to reach a new agreement for about 50,000 workers.

Last week, the postal service started telling its biggest customers to prepare for service disruption.

CUPW said they have not indicated there will be a strike but said Canada Post's actions are pointing to a lockout.

Canada Post presented an offer to the union on Monday.

The last labour dispute at Canada Post was in 2011, when a rotating strike turned into a lockout. At the time, Winnipeg was the first city to strike because it was the first city to undergo Canada Post's modernization program.

The 2011 labour disruption lasted nearly three weeks and ended when Conservatives passed back-to-work legislation.

In the event Canada Post employees strike or get locked out, the province will establish pickup locations to ensure Manitobans continue to get mail from the government, Manitoba government officials have said.

Cheques and other important mail, wuch as health cards, will be available for pickup from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, at various locations.

Manitobans expecting mail can contact the applicable department to find out where to go.

What you need to know

Canada Post said during a labour disruption mail and parcels will not be delivered.

To ensure parcels make it where they are supposed to go, Canada Post said to follow these guidelines: