Job action could start just days before fully vaccinated U.S. travellers will be allowed to enter Canada
Nick Boisvert · CBC
News · Posted: Aug 04, 2021
A work-to-rule strike will slow operations at land crossings, airports, commercial shipping ports, postal facilities and CBSA offices. (Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press)
The unions representing Canada's border agents are warning travellers to expect long lineups and delays at airports and border crossings if workers proceed with planned job action on Friday.
Around 8,500 workers represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the Customs and Immigration Union (CIU) are set to take part in a work-to-rule strike which will see agents performing only the minimum amount of work required by their contracts.
"We truly hoped we wouldn't be forced to take strike action, but we've exhausted every other avenue to reach a fair contract with the government," said Chris Aylward, PSAC's national president, in a media statement.
The disruption could start just days before Canada begins easing border restrictions that will allow fully vaccinated U.S. citizens and permanent residents to enter Canada for non-essential purposes.
That change goes into effect on Monday, August 9.
The unions are warning that a work-to-rule strike would have a "dramatic impact" on the border reopening as well as Canada's supply chain.
In addition to airports and land borders, the job action would also slow down operations at commercial shipping ports, postal facilities and CBSA offices.
Border workers vote to strike, putting Canada's reopening plans at risk
Fully vaccinated tourists will soon be able to visit Canada again
Members of the unions voted to strike in late July. The unions say they are seeking better protection against harassment and discrimination, changes to what they call the CBSA's "toxic workplace culture" and better wage parity with other law enforcement agencies.
CBSA says it will 'respond quickly' to job action
In a statement to CBC News, the CBSA did not say if it expects the type of delays being described by the unions. It said it will "respond quickly to any job action" to ensure the border remains safe and open to legitimate travellers and goods.
The agency also noted that 90 per cent of border agents have been identified as essential workers. A CBSA spokesperson said that in the event of a strike, "we expect that our officers will continue to fulfil their duties with the highest level of integrity and professionalism."
The unions say they are back at the bargaining table with the federal government today in the hopes of reaching a new deal before the strike is scheduled to begin — at 6 a.m. EDT on Friday.
The Treasury Board has said that the unions rejected what Ottawa considered a fair offer, which included wage adjustments and other provisions in line with other deals agreed to by PSAC.
Strike threat 'knocked the stuffing' out of tourism sector
Canadian businesses that rely on international tourism have been eagerly anticipating Monday's border reopening, but their excitement is being tempered by news of the possible strike.
"There was a lot of anticipation around Monday's border reopening," said Beth Potter, president and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada.
She said tourism businesses that rely heavily on U.S. customers — such as fly-in fishing lodges and other operations that offer access to Canada's wilderness — would be most affected by disruptions at the border.
"That just knocked the stuffing out of some folks," Potter said. "These are businesses that have been struggling, that have been the hardest hit in all of the pandemic."
The unions representing Canada's border agents are warning travellers to expect long lineups and delays at airports and border crossings if workers proceed with planned job action on Friday.
Around 8,500 workers represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the Customs and Immigration Union (CIU) are set to take part in a work-to-rule strike which will see agents performing only the minimum amount of work required by their contracts.
"We truly hoped we wouldn't be forced to take strike action, but we've exhausted every other avenue to reach a fair contract with the government," said Chris Aylward, PSAC's national president, in a media statement.
The disruption could start just days before Canada begins easing border restrictions that will allow fully vaccinated U.S. citizens and permanent residents to enter Canada for non-essential purposes.
That change goes into effect on Monday, August 9.
The unions are warning that a work-to-rule strike would have a "dramatic impact" on the border reopening as well as Canada's supply chain.
In addition to airports and land borders, the job action would also slow down operations at commercial shipping ports, postal facilities and CBSA offices.
Border workers vote to strike, putting Canada's reopening plans at risk
Fully vaccinated tourists will soon be able to visit Canada again
Members of the unions voted to strike in late July. The unions say they are seeking better protection against harassment and discrimination, changes to what they call the CBSA's "toxic workplace culture" and better wage parity with other law enforcement agencies.
CBSA says it will 'respond quickly' to job action
In a statement to CBC News, the CBSA did not say if it expects the type of delays being described by the unions. It said it will "respond quickly to any job action" to ensure the border remains safe and open to legitimate travellers and goods.
The agency also noted that 90 per cent of border agents have been identified as essential workers. A CBSA spokesperson said that in the event of a strike, "we expect that our officers will continue to fulfil their duties with the highest level of integrity and professionalism."
The unions say they are back at the bargaining table with the federal government today in the hopes of reaching a new deal before the strike is scheduled to begin — at 6 a.m. EDT on Friday.
The Treasury Board has said that the unions rejected what Ottawa considered a fair offer, which included wage adjustments and other provisions in line with other deals agreed to by PSAC.
Strike threat 'knocked the stuffing' out of tourism sector
Canadian businesses that rely on international tourism have been eagerly anticipating Monday's border reopening, but their excitement is being tempered by news of the possible strike.
"There was a lot of anticipation around Monday's border reopening," said Beth Potter, president and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada.
She said tourism businesses that rely heavily on U.S. customers — such as fly-in fishing lodges and other operations that offer access to Canada's wilderness — would be most affected by disruptions at the border.
"That just knocked the stuffing out of some folks," Potter said. "These are businesses that have been struggling, that have been the hardest hit in all of the pandemic."
Guards vow to 'shut the border down' as tensions soar during Toronto Pearson Airport protest
CBSA officials rally at Pearson airport
Jon Woodward
Videojournalist,
CTV News Toronto
Tuesday, August 3, 2021
Tuesday, August 3, 2021
TORONTO -- Border guards vowed to “shut the border down” — or come as close to it as they legally can — at a demonstration at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport Monday.
The demonstration was a show of resolve before the unions that represent some 8500 Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) officers and customs officials are in a legal right to strike position on Friday.
“We screened every traveller for COVID, we kept the border running, our employer won’t even speak to us at the bargaining table,” said Mark Weber, the national president of the Customs and Immigration Union.
That union, and the Public Service Alliance of Canada, say they have the right to strike as of August 6, just days before Canada reopens its borders to vaccinated U.S. travellers.
“We’ve been without a contract for three years,” said Frances Baroutoglou, Toronto’s CIU France president. “Through COVID we’ve continued to keep the border safe. We’ve taken on extra duties. We want a fair contract.”
Dozens of workers, wearing sandwich boards and carrying banners, chanted, “Shut it down! Shut it down!” as they walked around an entrance to the airport Monday afternoon.
“Come Friday, we’re going to wreak havoc on the border,” said Baroutoglou in to the microphone.
It’s not yet clear what the union’s strategy will be if it comes to a strike. There are more than 1200 entry points across Canada that could see an impact.
But despite the rhetoric, many border workers could be deemed essential, meaning they could slow, but not stop, their work.
“The borders will function but there will be a disruption,” Baroutoglou said in an interview. “We’ll be in a position where we can work to rule. Doing our job but only to the letter of the law.”
At issue, according to a public interest commission report, is wages. The employer has posed 2.8, 2.2, and 1.5 per cent increases in the first three years of a settlement.
It says that’s in line with 50 recent settlements in the public service.
But the unions want 4.4 per cent on top of that, arguing they need to catch up to other law enforcement agencies like the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The employer rejects the comparison.
Other issues include reducing on-the-job harassment, giving time to practice with firearms, and a guarantee no officer will work alone.
“We need to make sure people feel safe at work,” said Baroutoglou.
The demonstration was a show of resolve before the unions that represent some 8500 Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) officers and customs officials are in a legal right to strike position on Friday.
“We screened every traveller for COVID, we kept the border running, our employer won’t even speak to us at the bargaining table,” said Mark Weber, the national president of the Customs and Immigration Union.
That union, and the Public Service Alliance of Canada, say they have the right to strike as of August 6, just days before Canada reopens its borders to vaccinated U.S. travellers.
“We’ve been without a contract for three years,” said Frances Baroutoglou, Toronto’s CIU France president. “Through COVID we’ve continued to keep the border safe. We’ve taken on extra duties. We want a fair contract.”
Dozens of workers, wearing sandwich boards and carrying banners, chanted, “Shut it down! Shut it down!” as they walked around an entrance to the airport Monday afternoon.
“Come Friday, we’re going to wreak havoc on the border,” said Baroutoglou in to the microphone.
It’s not yet clear what the union’s strategy will be if it comes to a strike. There are more than 1200 entry points across Canada that could see an impact.
But despite the rhetoric, many border workers could be deemed essential, meaning they could slow, but not stop, their work.
“The borders will function but there will be a disruption,” Baroutoglou said in an interview. “We’ll be in a position where we can work to rule. Doing our job but only to the letter of the law.”
At issue, according to a public interest commission report, is wages. The employer has posed 2.8, 2.2, and 1.5 per cent increases in the first three years of a settlement.
It says that’s in line with 50 recent settlements in the public service.
But the unions want 4.4 per cent on top of that, arguing they need to catch up to other law enforcement agencies like the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The employer rejects the comparison.
Other issues include reducing on-the-job harassment, giving time to practice with firearms, and a guarantee no officer will work alone.
“We need to make sure people feel safe at work,” said Baroutoglou.
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