Dear Valued Clients,

Over 9,000 Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) employees may begin arriving at the picket lines as early as Thursday, which could cause travel disruptions and border delays starting this week.

As their union, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), continues to negotiate with the Treasury Board through mediated negotiations, 96% of members voted last week in favor of strike action.

The CBSA provided additional information to stakeholders in lieu of pending stroke action over the weekend:

“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, meaning they will continue to offer essential services in the even 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 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 in order 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.”

According to a PSAC official, border patrol agents are looking to negotiate a pay structure that is comparable to that of other Canadian law enforcement agencies.

As reiterated by the CBSA’s statement, the majority of workers will have to report to work in the event of a strike because border security is considered a necessary service, but there might be delays in getting through customs.