Canada Border strike: Time, Cause, Response, Duration, How It’s Going To Happen And Everything To Know
More than 9,000 members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, including border guards, have secured a strike mandate. They are in mediation, and the union could be in a position to strike as early as June 6.
Canada’s Border Strike:
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- Thousands of Canadian border guards at airports and land crossings with the U.S. were poised to strike due to disputes with their employer, the federal government.
- Approximately 90% of frontline border officers with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) are designated essential workers, meaning they cannot legally stop working.
- Sticking points in negotiations include wages, remote work, retirement benefits, and also workplace protections.
- The border remained open and safe, but discretion by border officers could slow cross-border traffic.
- Delays at the border could affect both tourists and the economy, given that $2.5 billion worth of goods crosses the border daily.
- Work-to-rule actions, where officers follow procedures meticulously, could magnify disruptions.
- The situation remains fluid, so travelers and businesses should stay informed about potential impacts.
What’s at Stake?
- Over 9,000 CBSA workers (out of about 11,000 total workers) could be part of the job action.
- It includes CBSA employees at airports, land crossings, and marine ports of entry.
- The Customs and Immigration Union (CIU), also affiliated with the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), represents these workers.
Demands
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) workers have several key demands:
- Fair Wages: They are calling for wages in line with other law enforcement agencies across the country.
- Equitable Retirement Benefits: Almost all law enforcement and also public safety workers receive early retirement benefits, and CBSA workers seek similar benefits.
Strike Deadline:
- The union has set a deadline of 4 p.m. E.T. today.
- If no deal is reached by then, workers will take job action immediately.
Possible Job Action:
- Workers may engage in “work to rule,” strictly applying all job rules and regulations.
- For instance, border officers could ask all permissible questions at each car crossing.
- This could significantly disrupt traffic and travel times.
Progress:
- Mediation is ongoing, and both parties are working towards an agreement.
- The clock is ticking to avoid potential delays at Canada’s borders.
