Trade Waits for Outcome of Labor Negotiations Involving Canadian Border Workers

The trade is watching whether more than 9,000 Canada Border Service Agency workers will go on strike on Wednesday should the impasse on labor contract negotiations continue.

Union members and the Canadian government decided to extend mediation talks to June 14 after earlier deadlines of June 7 and June 12, according to the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), one of the unions representing CBSA workers in talks. The other union is the Customs and Immigration Union.

“We’ve paused all strike action as talks continue to reach a fair contract for workers,” PSAC National President Sharon DeSousa said in Friday’s release. “Our members keep our borders moving, goods flowing and our families safe, and deserve a contract that delivers fair wages, equitable retirement and makes CBSA a better place to work."

Canadian regulations prevent essential federal employees, such as those involved in border functions, from striking. They must continue to report to work. However, union members may take some kind of job action if an agreement can’t be reached, according to PSAC.

“I’m hopeful we can reach a deal and avoid disruptions at Canada's borders,” Customs and Immigration Union National President Mark Weber said. “Our members are essential -- protecting our borders, preventing auto theft and stopping illegal drugs and firearms from entering Canada -- and they deserve a fair contract that treats them with respect and dignity in line with other law enforcement agencies across the country.”

PSAC and the Customs and Immigration Union will not be providing media interviews during mediation because of the sensitive nature of ongoing negotiations, PSAC said in its update Friday.

In response to the extended mediation period, Canadian government officials said they were “pleased” that PSAC “has committed to remain at the table.”

“To date, discussions have been productive, and we remain committed to reaching an agreement that is fair and reasonable for members of the Border Services Group as quickly as possible,” said a June 7 statement from the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat.

Also watching the negotiations is the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America, which said June 6 that 90% of the employees would be deemed essential.

Negotiations have been in progress for over two years.

“Job action by CBSA personnel in 2021 nearly brought commercial cross-border traffic to a halt, resulting in major delays at airports and border crossings throughout Canada and a marathon 36-hour bargaining session to reach an agreement,” NCBFAA said. “Despite the legal requirement to continue working, a strike among CBSA employees may once again result in slowdowns of processing cargo at Canada’s border crossings with the U.S.”