The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), representing 9,000 Canada Border Security Agency (CBSA) personnel, has suddenly delayed its planned strike, opting to continue negotiations with the Canadian Federal Government despite having previously threatened to start strike action today.
This decision was announced in a recent post by PSAC on X, stating, “All strike action is on hold as mediation will continue until Wednesday. Picket lines will not be in place until further notice.”
This announcement comes in stark contrast to a statement made by the union just yesterday, which declared that “Workers at CBSA will strike immediately if a deal is not reached by 4 PM EST on June 7.”
Another post from earlier today emphasized the union’s demands, highlighting that “CBSA personnel operate the same way and with the same tools as every law enforcement agency in Canada, yet they are not given the same retirement benefits. Border officers deserve equitable 25-and-out retirement benefits.”
Key issues in the ongoing negotiations include:
- Fair wages aligned with other law enforcement agencies
- Flexible telework and remote work options
- Equitable retirement benefits for CBSA law enforcement personnel
- Stronger workplace protections
The potential impact of a strike is significant, as demonstrated in 2021 when job action by CBSA personnel nearly brought commercial cross-border traffic to a standstill, causing major delays at airports and borders across the country. A marathon 36-hour bargaining session was required to reach an agreement at that time.
“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 Mark Weber, CIU National President. “It’s time for the government to step up for CBSA employees.”
This week’s negotiations are being conducted with the assistance of a mediator in a final attempt to achieve a resolution and avert strike action. If negotiations fail, there could be imminent delays in cross-country travel at Canada’s borders.
While CBSA agents, classified as critical workers, cannot simply walk out on their jobs, they can engage in “work-to-rule” actions. This means following every formality to the letter, which can significantly slow down the process of allowing visitors in and out of the country.