More than 9,000 Workers at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Could Strike as Early as Thursday

06 Jun More than 9,000 Workers at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Could Strike as Early as Thursday

More than 9,000 workers at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) could strike as early as Thursday, following the recent release of a federal Public Interest Commission report. This report set guidelines for a new collective agreement and granted the workers the legal right to strike.

CBSA personnel are represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the Customs and Immigration Union (CIU).

On June 2, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) issued additional information to industry stakeholders regarding a possible strike and what may transpire at the border should a strike occur in the days or weeks to come:

“On September 28, 2023, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) declared an impasse in its negotiations with the Employer on behalf of the FB group. Public Interest Commission (PIC) hearings were held in April 2024, and a non-binding PIC report is expected to be released in late May/early June. Depending on the timing of the report, PSAC would be in a legal strike position as soon as early June.

The border will remain open and safe as 90% of frontline Border Services Officers are essential workers, which means that they will continue to offer essential services in the event of a strike. Our officers will fulfill their duties with the highest level of integrity and professionalism. However, travelers and businesses could experience an increase in border wait times, picketing outside CBSA premises, and the wearing of union-related accessories. The CBSA has been actively working to plan for these situations and has developed mitigation strategies to ensure operations will continue

The CBSA will respond quickly to any job action or work disruption to maintain the safety and security of our border, ensure compliance with our laws, and keep the border open to facilitate the flow of legitimate goods and travel.”

The potential strike by CBSA workers underscores the significant challenges and negotiations currently faced by both the workers and the agency. The public and industry stakeholders are advised to stay informed and prepared for possible disruptions while crossing the border.