CBSA Workers Strike Could Cause Big Delays at Canada Border Crossings

Travelers crossing the border into Canada could face major delays starting this week.

More than 9,000 Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) workers are set to begin job action on Friday, 4:00 p.m. EST as members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the Customs and Immigration Union (CIU) have been unable to reach an agreement with the CBSA and Treasury Board.
 
After the CBSA workers secured a strike mandate in May, the two sides entered mediation on June 3. However, as of writing, no deal has been made, and while mediator-assisted negotiations are ongoing, job action could start on Friday, meaning major delays for travelers.
 
According to the Treasury Board, 90% of the PSAC and CIU workers are designated “essential” and cannot (legally) walk off the job. Should the job action go into effect on Friday, the union workers will enact work-to-rule, wherein workers perform their duties exactly as outlined by contracts, causing slower crossings (for example, following every procedure, asking every possible question, etc.) . 

According to the union, similar job action in 2021 caused significant delays, and “nearly brought commercial cross-border traffic to a standstill.”

“Our members have overwhelmingly told us they are prepared to fight for fair wages, equitable retirement and to make CBSA a better place to work,” said CIU National President Mark Weber. “It’s time for the government to step up for CBSA employees.”