Since 4 PM today, approximately 9,000 staff members of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) were expected to have started a legal strike, which could have led to significant disruptions at various border crossing points. However, the union representing the CBSA announced in a press release on Friday that the planned job action involving these 9,000 personnel has been delayed, with mediation now scheduled to continue until Wednesday.
Ian Lee, Associate Professor at the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University, warns that a strike could manifest as a work-to-rule action by customs agents, potentially resulting in substantial truck queues at the borders. The impact of such disruptions would be particularly critical for the freight transport sector, a cornerstone of the Canadian economy, given that 90% of goods entering Canada do so via land.
The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) recalls that a similar mobilization three years ago had nearly paralyzed commercial traffic, causing significant delays at land borders.
The demands made by the CBSA employees include seeking pay parity with other federal entities, such as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), increased flexibility for teleworking, enhancements in process automation, improved social benefits, and heightened workplace protection.
A strike raises major concerns regarding its impact on commercial operations and the regular flow of essential goods transport across Canada.
