OTTAWA - Canada Post says it has made what it calls its `final offer' to avert a strike by 2,100 administrative and technical workers, but it did not stop staff  from hitting the picket lines Monday morning.

In a release issued late Sunday, the organization stressed that Canadians would continue to get mail on time even if the offer is rejected.

Canada Post says the strike mostly involves administrative and technical members of the Union of Postal Communications Employees.

Employees who collect and deliver mail are members of a separate union and have a valid contract.

The four-year offer includes a 2.5 per cent wage increase during the first two years and a 2.75 per cent raise during the final two years.

Canada Post says talks broke off Thursday of last week.