CBSA Workers Avoid Strike

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) workers will not be going on strike after agreeing to a tentative contract on Tuesday. The workers’ union and the federal government were staring down a Friday, June 14 deadline after extending negotiations past their initial June 7 deadline.

CBSA workers were looking for a new contract that focused on better pay and benefits. Full details on the tentative contract haven’t yet been released, but indications are that union members will see full details later this week.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the Customs and Immigration Union (CIU) had previously announced they would begin their strike on June 7 if a new contract hadn’t been agreed by then. With negotiations progressing, both sides agreed to extend their deadline by an additional week in hopes of avoiding a strike.

The extension ultimately proved fruitful as the two sides found common ground on Tuesday, putting fears of a strike to rest. Union members still need to vote to approve and ratify the deal, but the expectation is for the vote to pass.=

There was a historic reference in terms of a strike with workers striking three years ago, but it appears the union and government have avoided any such disruptions this time around.

If there are any final updates after the union members vote on the proposed contract, we will be sure to provide any relevant updates.