More than 9,000 workers at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will be in a legal position to strike starting Thursday, June 6th.
Border agents, who are affiliated with the Canadian Union of Public Servants, have not had a contract since June 2022.
The CBSA said the border would remain open in the event of a strike because 90 percent of Border Patrol’s frontline agents are considered essential workers, but the agency said travelers and businesses should prepare for delays and picketing at border crossings. Essential workers are expected to “work by the rules” and experience longer wait times.
In a letter to trucking companies, customs brokers and package delivery services last week, the unions said a strike “would very likely cause dramatic disruptions to the flow of goods, services and people into Canada and, in some cases, even to their departure from Canada.”
The two sides entered mediation talks on Monday, but no public updates had been released as of late Tuesday.
The union is seeking pay for its members on par with other law enforcement agencies across the country, including a “retire at 25” retirement plan. Access to telework and protections from outsourcing services to automated systems, students and other providers are also on PSAC’s list of key issues for negotiations.
The last time CBSA officers went on strike was in 2021, when a day-long walkout led to queues at border crossings and airports. An agreement was reached after 36 hours of negotiations.
Related: The dual rail strike may be postponed until the busiest time of year for grain shipments.
