Union representing 8,500 CBSA workers vote in favour of strike action
Posted July 27, 2021 11:09 am.
Last Updated July 27, 2021 3:09 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – Unions representing thousands of Canadian Border Service Agency workers say its members have voted in favour of strike action, jeopardizing the federal government’s reopening plans.
The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the Customs and Immigration Union (CIU) say members may strike as soon as Aug. 6, three days before the federal government is set to loosen its travel restrictions.
Starting Aug. 9, fully vaccinated U.S. citizens will be able to visit Canada through the land borders, which have been closed to non-essential travel for more than a year, as well as by flying in.
The federal government says those visitors will no longer have to quarantine upon arrival.
Fully vaccinated travellers from all other countries will be allowed entry starting on Sept. 7.
The PSAC says the strike throws that reopening into question, and there is an additional risk of a significant disruption to Canada’s economy.
If strike action is taken, the union says it could slow down commercial traffic, impact mail deliveries, and reduce duties and taxes on goods entering Canada.
The members, employed by the CBSA and Treasury Board began holding strike votes in June, after they had been without a contract for nearly three years and talks broke off between the two sides in December.
Related Articles:
-
U.S. extends travel restrictions at Canada, Mexico borders
-
YVR no longer splitting passengers at arrivals terminal by COVID vaccination status
-
White House to maintain travel restrictions as Delta ravages unvaccinated Americans
The union and the employers have been unable to agree on better protections for staff that the union argues would bring them in line with other law enforcement personnel across Canada and address a “toxic” workplace culture.
“Taking strike action is always a last resort, but we’re grappling with systemic workplace harassment issues that must be addressed,” said Mark Weber, CIU national president.
PSAC national president Chris Aylward says that members have been on the frontlines during the pandemic, and many have gotten sick with COVID-19 during that time.
“They’ve kept our borders safe, screened travelers entering Canada, and ensured the rapid clearance of vaccine shipments,” Aylward said in a statement released Tuesday.
