Border Officials Plan To Strike This Weekend & That Means ‘Long Lineups & Lengthy Delays’

Canadians should expect "long lineups and lengthy delays" at border crossings and airports across the country this weekend, as almost 9,000 Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers are planning strike action.

On Wednesday, August 4, a union representing thousands of CBSA employees told Narcity that its members are set to strike from Friday, which they say "could have a dramatic impact on Canada's supply chain and the government's plans to reopen the border to U.S. travellers on August 9."

The job action will impact all of Canada's airports, land borders, commercial shipping ports, postal facilities and headquarters locations, according to the union.

A week earlier, the Public Service Alliance of Canada and the Customs and Immigration Union warned that the strikes could "throw into question the federal government's plans for a smooth reopening of the Canada-U.S. border this summer as a federal election looms."

"Come Friday, we're going to wreak havoc on the border," one employee said, per CTV News.

A strike notice was served to the government on Tuesday.

Why are they taking strike action?

Unionized employees say they're seeking protections against a "toxic workplace culture at CBSA, and greater parity with other law enforcement agencies across Canada."

They will meet with the CBSA on August 4 in an attempt to reach a deal. "Work-to-rule action will begin August 6 at 6 a.m. EDT across the country if a new contract isn't negotiated," reads the union's notice.

*This article's cover image is for illustrative purposes only.