The ballots have been counted, and you’ve given our union an overwhelming strike mandate to take job action and show this employer we mean business.

This comes as no surprise. You’ve been without a collective agreement since 2022. Your wages have stalled, and the cost-of-living has risen, yet the Canada Border Services Agency and Treasury Board still aren’t prepared to negotiate a fair agreement, and continue to demand concessions at the bargaining table.

You’ve shown your resolve, and your employer is now fully aware that you’re prepared to do whatever it takes to fight for a fair collective agreement that secures fair wages in line with other law enforcement and public safety workers across the country, flexible telework options, stronger job security, protections against contracting out, and equitable 25-and-out retirement benefits.

Taking job action is always a last resort, but the results of the vote – 96% in favour – show that you’re prepared to take action to demand a fair contract.

Together, we have a lot of power. Our strike in 2021 brought commercial cross-border traffic nearly to a standstill, causing chaos at ports of entry across the country.

Unless they want to see that happen again, Treasury Board and CBSA better be prepared to come to the table with an offer that addresses our key issues.

Our FB bargaining team is committed to reaching a fair contract that protects our members and makes CBSA a better place to work. We have made it clear to the Trudeau Liberal government that our negotiations must be a top priority, and the window to avert a strike is closing quickly.

Mediation sessions are scheduled to begin on June 3, and we expect the Public Interest Commission report to be released shortly before that. We will be in a legal strike position seven days after the report is released – meaning we should be prepared to take job action in June if a deal isn’t reached.

Contact your Branch President or PSAC regional office to find out how you can join mobilization activities to keep the pressure up on the employer and this government.

Please make sure you keep your contact information up to date and watch for more information as we move forward.

Together we can – and we will – win the fair collective agreement that you deserve.

Always in solidarity,

Chris Aylward
PSAC national president

Mark Weber
Customs and Immigration Union national president

This article was originally posted on the PSAC website.

More than 9,000 members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada working for the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) have secured an overwhelming strike mandate which could lead to significant disruptions to the flow of goods, services and people at Canadian ports of entry a as the busy summer season approaches.

Members voted 96% in favour of taking job action during strike votes held April 10 to May 23, 2024.

“Taking job action is always a last resort, but this strong strike mandate underscores that our members are prepared do what it takes to secure a fair contract,” said Chris Aylward, PSAC National President. “Unless they want a repeat of 2021, Treasury Board and CBSA must be prepared to come to the table with a fair offer that addresses our key issues.”

Job action by CBSA personnel in 2021 nearly brought commercial cross-border traffic to a standstill, causing major delays at airports and borders across the country and a marathon 36-hour bargaining session to reach an agreement.

PSAC-Customs and Immigration Union (CIU) members at CBSA include border services officers at airports, land entry points, marine ports, and commercial ports of entry, inland enforcement officers, intelligence officers, investigators, trade officers, and non-uniformed headquarters staff.

Workers have been without a contract for over two years, yet Treasury Board and CBSA are still not prepared to negotiate an agreement that protects workers, and continue to demand concessions at the bargaining table.

Key issues in this round of bargaining include fair wages that are aligned with other law enforcement agencies across the country, flexible telework and remote work options, equitable retirement benefits and stronger protections around discipline, technological change and hours of work.

“Our members’ response to this vote has been unprecedented – we extended the voting period to meet the overwhelming demand from workers,” said Mark Weber, CIU National President. “We’re sending a clear message to the employer: we’re prepared to fight for fair wages, equitable retirement and to make CBSA a better place to work.”

Possible strike action in June

Both parties last met at a Public Interest Commission (PIC) hearing April 22. The Commission’s report is expected to be released before mediation sessions scheduled to begin June 3 to seek a resolution to the bargaining impasse. PSAC-CIU will be in a legal strike position following the release of the report.

“We’re committed to reaching a fair contract that protects workers and improves working conditions for our members,” said Aylward. “As summer travel season nears, we hope the Trudeau Liberal government is making these negotiations a top priority. The window to avert a strike is closing quickly.”

CBSA personnel deserve fair wages that are aligned with other law enforcement agencies across the country and an equitable retirement regime.

This article was originally posted on the PSAC website.