Perhaps a little birdie didn’t tell you, but Canada Post workers will most likely be locked out of their job this Friday and beyond.

The Canadian Union of Postal Works has been trying to negotiate a more favourable collective bargaining agreement for the approximately 50,000 rural and urban mail carriers in the country, an effort that’s been met with the same effectiveness as two plastic cups bound by a string.

Which is to say, the goal has not be achieved.

Canada Post has given 72-hours’ notice to the CUPW that employees will be locked out as of Friday because a contract has not been signed.

And if you think you can just email your way out of this mess, consider a few of the following ramifications…

1. No outbox: Canada Post outlets won’t be accepting or delivering mail.

2. Mail deemed “essential” by the government will still be delivered on the 20th of each month.
The essentials are socio-economic cheques, such as child tax benefits, disability benefits, Old Age Security Pension, Canada Pension Plan benefits and benefits for veterans.

3. No mail correspondence regarding government services.
The federal government encourages people to set up direct deposit for payment for employment insurance and tax payments/refunds.

4. Don’t forget to pay your taxes anyway…
Although mail sent to or from the Canada Revenue Agency will not be delivered, people are still required to file or make payments on time.

5. Hopefully nothing important expires.
Provincial governments are also reminding users not to send renewals for driver’s licences or health cards through the mail.

6. PROBABLY NO ONLINE SHOPPING
Amazon.ca says, “We’re monitoring the progress of the negotiations and are using alternate delivery carriers when necessary to deliver customer orders.” The apocalypse is nigh.

7. Etsy is in trouble.
Smaller online retailers, like those on Etsy, who use Canada Post, will definitely see an impact.

“If you’re selling a $28 skirt and the shipping goes from $9 to $15, that’s a big jump for a consumer to wrap their head around,” Jentine Gootjes, owner of The Edit, which operates on Etsy, told CBC News.

8. Don’t forget to pay your bills!
Even if you don’t receive your bills for phone, cable or utilities online they will still have to be paid, and paid on time.

Many companies, including Toronto Hydro, Rogers, Telus, SaskTel and Enbridge, are encouraging customers to sign up for electronic bills or pre-authorized payments.

9. Students get the shaft.
No transcripts for you.

As for mail that’s already in circulation, it’ll just kinda sit around in warehouses to be used as papier-mâché fodder for bored postal workers.

Notes above courtesy the CBC.