Canada Border Workers Offered Nearly 15% Pay Increase

Last week, Canada narrowly averted job action by over 9,000 Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) workers, thanks to a last-minute tentative deal between the federal government and the bargaining team, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the Customs Immigration Union (CIU).
 
The PSAC released the offer’s details to the public last Thursday. Workers are being offered a 14.8% pay raise over a four-year period, as well as other monetary gains and improved working conditions. 

The PSAC said the wage increase greatly exceeds other increases for similar public roles, such as the RCMP, for the years of the agreement.

“Our bargaining team worked around the clock to secure the best contract for our members, and this tentative agreement is a testament to their incredible hard work and dedication,” said Sharon DeSousa, PSAC national president. “This is a well-deserved victory for our members at CBSA who safeguard our nation’s borders and ensure the safety and security of all Canadians.”

The agreement was reached after nine days of around-the-clock negotiations. Members are in the process of reviewing the offer, and ratification votes will take place online in the coming weeks. 

According to Wendy Paradis, president of the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies and Advisors, even a work-to-rule labor disruption could create problems for the industry: “A CBSA strike would create significant disruption at land borders, ports and airports including long waits, and delayed and cancelled flights creating extra work for travel advisors assisting frustrated clients. ACTA and our travel agency and travel advisor members are relieved that there is a tentative CBSA labour agreement in place as we enter one of the busiest travel periods of the year.”

The CBSA workers have been without a contract since 2022. The four-year agreement will expire on June 20, 2026.