The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) narrowly avoided a strike as negotiations between the union and their employer resumed.
Customs and Immigration Union (CIU) officials said over 9,000 employees across the country were poised to join the strike today, Friday, June 7.
“We’re fighting for a few things: better wage parity, so wages that are better aligned with other law enforcement agencies around the country; better job security – the CBCA’s approach to discipline is heavy-handed, so it leads to a toxic work culture; access to telework so our non-uniformed workers have consistent and flexible access to remote options; and better protection for our jobs, the CBSA is constantly replacing border officers with contract workers, students,” said Kevin Kerr, CIU National Youth Worker Representative.
“Automated systems and contracting out means higher costs, more risks and lower quality of service for Canadians.”
The threat of a strike came after the union has been without a collective agreement since 2022.
“There’s been some heavy resistance against us, especially with Anita Anand, President of Canada’s Treasury Board, fighting back on one our key issues,” said Kerr.
“This being the ’25-and-out’ policy, so after 25 years members would like to retire respectfully like other law enforcement agencies. This is something that has been on the bill for quite a while and it has not been signed off on yet.”
Union officials said strike action will be on hold until at least Wednesday.
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