Canadian border workers prepare to strike Friday

Travelers could soon experience delays at the Canadian border. More than 9,000 workers at the Canada Border Services Agency are ready to strike this week.

Members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada and the Customs and Immigration Union say they will strike Friday at 12:01 a.m. if an agreement is not reached with the Canada Border Services Agency and the Treasury Board.

“We remain hopeful that we can avoid a strike and possible disruption at Canada’s borders,” said PSAC National President Sharon DeSousa. “No worker wants a strike, but we have set a firm deadline for the government to come to the negotiating table with a fair deal.”

CBSA workers have been without a contract for more than two years, according to the PSAC-Customs and Immigration Union. They include border services officers at airports, land ports of entry, maritime and commercial ports, inland law enforcement officers, intelligence officers, investigators, sales agents and more than 2,000 plainclothes headquarters employees.

The Treasury Board of Canada released the following statement last week:

The union and CBSA will continue negotiations this week with a mediator.