Some 1500 support workers at the University of Victoria may go on strike next week, just as students return to school.

Canadian Union of Public Employees locals 917 and 951 served a 72-hour strike notice on Friday and job action could begin as early as Wednesday.

The CUPE locals represent a variety of employees from electricians and plumbers, to food service staff and grounds workers, whose contract expired in 2010.

The union says employees are concerned about job security, inflation protection and fair and reasonable wage increases and that the goal was not to negatively impact students, but to pressure the university to return to the bargaining table.

In a statement, UVic said it hopes to reach a settlement as soon as possible and in the event of a strike, it would endeavour to continue instruction on-campus, although some student services may be suspended.

Strike notice was originally served in June, but was delayed while the university and the union negotiated essential service levels.