Border unions threatening summer disruptions after members vote in favour of striking
The unions representing thousands of border work‐ ers are predicting disrup‐ tions at airports and land crossings this summer af‐ ter members voted in favour of striking.
The Customs and Immi‐ gration Union (CIU) and Pub‐ lic Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) said Friday that their Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) members voted 96 per cent in favour of striking. It's not clear how many members voted.
The impacted workers in‐ clude border officers at air‐ ports, land entry points, mar‐ ine ports and commercial ports of entry, inland en‐ forcement officers, intelli‐ gence officers, investigators, trade officers and non-uni‐ formed headquarters staff, said the unions.
They said the sticking points are bringing wages in line with other law enforce‐ ment agencies, telework and remote work options, retire‐ ment benefits and "stronger protections around disci‐ pline" and what they refer to as "technological change."
"We're sending a clear message to the employer: we're prepared to fight for fair wages, equitable retire‐ ment and to make CBSA a better place to work," said
CIU president Mark Weber, in a statement.
Strike action could start next month.
The unions and the feder‐ al government met with the Public Interest Commission last month, which is expected to release an independent re‐ port with recommendations at the end of the month. Me‐ diation sessions resume June 3.
PSAC-CIU said they will be in a legal strike position fol‐ lowing the release of the re‐ port.
"As summer travel season nears, we hope the Trudeau Liberal government is making these negotiations a top pri‐ ority. The window to avert a strike is closing quickly," said PSAC president Chris Ayl‐ ward.
Government calls strike 'unnecessary'
The government said it be‐ lieves there's still time to reach an agreement.
"We believe these oppor‐ tunities can provide a clear path to an agreement with‐ out the undue hardship for employees and the public caused by a strike," said the Treasury Board in a state‐ ment.
"We recognize that labour action is a legitimate part of collective bargaining. Em‐ ployees have the right to strike, but at this time it is unnecessary."
The government said in the event of strike action, about 90 per cent of frontline border services employ‐ ees would be deemed essen‐ tial.
"Rather than planning for disruption, PSAC should focus on negotiation so we can reach an agreement as quickly as possible that is fair to employees and taxpayers," said the statement.