The union members have run out of patience
BREAKING NEWS! More than 9,000 border service workers in Canada are preparing for a widespread strike, a news that undoubtedly poses a huge challenge to travel and supply chains across the country.
According to the latest news from the Customs and Immigration Union, these border service workers will vote today and are expected to support the strike authorization, which could begin as early as June. The move could paralyze airports across the country, especially during the peak summer travel season, which will be felt by both travelers and businesses.
Speaking of this strike, we have to start with two years ago. Negotiations between the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) have dragged on for almost two years. Trade unions, on the other hand, have been fighting for higher wages, better job security, remote work opportunities, and measures to prevent outsourcing.
But the CBSA has refused to budge, much to the disappointment of union members. Mark Weber, president of the Customs and Immigration Union, said he had no doubt that members would vote for a strike warrant. It can be said that the union members have had enough of it and decided to strike to fight for their rights.
However, even if workers vote for a strike, it does not mean that they can strike immediately. About 90% of frontline border workers are classified as essential employees and are prohibited from leaving their jobs immediately.
In order to facilitate negotiations, the Public Interest Commission held hearings on April 10 and April 22 to try to resolve the dispute between the parties through this process. According to the rules, the Public Interest Commission will issue a report that includes non-binding recommendations after the hearing.
If workers vote for a strike on Wednesday, they need to wait seven days after the report is released before they can enter a legal strike status.
Experts noted that a strike by border workers will have a significant impact on Canada's travel and supply chains. Stephanie Ross, a professor of labour studies at McMaster University, said that if key border services went on strike, travel and supply chains across the country would be severely disrupted, and major airports would be significantly affected.
Professor Stephanie further explained that summer is the peak time for tourism, which can hinder many people's travel plans. In addition, manufacturers and retailers will also be affected by delays in goods, which will have a ripple effect on the economy as a whole.
The government, for its part, clearly does not want to see this happen. The Treasury Secretariat of Canada, which oversees government spending as the federal government's main employer, said in an email that the Public Interest Commission's recommendations are expected by the end of May, meaning a legitimate strike could occur in early June.
The government said it had reached an agreement with 120,000 federal public service personnel and that there was no reason why a similar agreement should not be reached with border services groups as they worked together to negotiate.
Barry Eidlin, an associate professor of sociology at McGill University, points out that the current program is designed to avoid strikes as much as possible, but that strike mandates can at least put pressure on employers to get back to the negotiating table to reach an agreement. He said it was a means of increasing the pressure to negotiate and force employers to make concessions when faced with the threat of real action.
The unions, for their part, said that after two years of difficult negotiations, the workers' patience had been exhausted and they were ready to take concrete action to defend their rights. Union President Mark Weber stressed that we must show the CBSA that we are ready to act to reach a fair deal. He also said that although the process is long, they are willing to wait for the final result.
With the end of the strike authorization vote, this will be followed by the release of the Public Interest Commission report and a possible legal strike. If the two sides fail to reach an agreement before then, the June travel season will face great uncertainty.
Professor Stephanie cautioned that all travellers planning to travel during the summer months, as well as businesses that rely on supply chains, should be prepared.
The imminent strike is not only a defense of their own rights and interests, but also a severe test of the government's negotiation strategy. We will continue to monitor the situation and bring you the latest reports.