Canadian port delays expected as border workers prepare to strike
Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the Customs and Immigration Union (CIU) serve strike notice to Canadian federal government.
Canada’s PSAC and CIU have told the Canadian government that their members will hold industrial action starting this Friday at 06:00 EDT. The strike action will affect all Canadian airports, land borders, and commercial shipping ports and will likely bring long delays at all entry points.
The unions say that unionised employees have been working without a contract for more than three years and seek greater parity with other law enforcement organisations. They cite a “toxic workplace culture” as the reason for the action.
Le Journal de Montréal reported on Wednesday that the Treasury Board has engaged a negotiator to aid the discussion between the two parties and that it has made a formal request to the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board to find a mediator.
The strike will compound existing port delays at the Port of Vancouver caused caused by Covid-19 and wildfires, and at the Port of Montreal due to low water levels in the St. Lawrence River.
