You can count Mississauga business owner Laura Artibello as someone who has been closely following the ongoing labour dispute between Canada Post and the union that represents 50,000 of its employees.

Artibello is president of the communications company Mailennium that specializes in large volume direct mail processing and sends out anywhere from 100,000 to 150,000 pieces each month via Canada Post.

Last week, the Crown corporation had issued a 72-hour lockout notice to its employees represented by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers. However, in a statement posted on its website dated Sunday, Canada Post said it has withdrawn the lockout notice.

“As a result, there will not be a lockout, which will allow both parties to focus their efforts on serious negotiations,” read the release. “We are also expecting the union to honour their repeated public statements that they have no plans to issue a strike notice. Assurance from both parties that the postal system will remain open for business while we negotiate will provide the certainty that Canadians and our employees are looking for.”

Any pause or disruption to mail delivery would have had a “devastating” impact on Artibello’s business. Courier companies are an option for some but wouldn’t make financial sense for what Mailennium does, said Artibello.

With a staff of 14 people, Artibello said she would have had to lay off seven of them if there was a lockout or strike.

“Seven would have had to go home … and that’s seven households that are seriously affected,” she said. “And, I’m only one business.

“(A strike our lockout) would kill a lot of business and it’s critical it not be allowed to happen on either side,” she continued.

Meanwhile, union national president Mike Palecek said he’s “glad that cooler heads have prevailed” with Canada Post stepping back from the threat of a lockout.

“We’ve said from the outset that our goal is a negotiated settlement,” said Palecek. “We’re still at the table and we hope to see some meaningful negotiation now.”