Some Manitoba small business owners say the day-old Canada Post strike is already having an effect on their bottom line, with mounting anxiety as to what an extended labour stoppage could mean ahead of the holiday season.

Approximately 55,000 Canada Post workers commenced a nationwide strike after a year of unsuccessful negotiations.

About 55,000 Canada Post workers went on strike for the second time in six years on Friday after their union said it had failed to reach a pay deal with the postal operator in the run-up to the holiday season.

Workers at Canada's national postal service have officially walked off the job across the country, including in Manitoba, where the provincial government says it's working to find ways to help essential mail get delivered.

Canada Post workers hit the picket lines Friday after contract negotiations with their employer failed to conclude by the strike deadline — and Ottawa is signalling it's not ready to intervene. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers said approximately 55,