Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers have no negotiations planned, making it quite likely they won’t be able to avoid a work stoppage Friday.

Canada Post spokesperson Jon Hamilton says the two sides could not be further apart.

This should come as no surprise to the Trudeau government.

Public Services Minister Judy Foote was warned three months ago that negotiations between the Crown corporation and its largest union were likely to lead to a strike or lockout, with officials advising the government not to take sides in bargaining.

The prime minister said Tuesday the government’s not considering back-to-work legislation if there’s a stoppage.

Justin Trudeau adding his government believes in good-faith negotiations that happen around the bargaining table and that there’s no need to be ”heavy-handed”.