Dear Member,
Further to CL 11306, the Public Service Allicance of Canada (which represents CBSA border agents) announced this morning that its members have started work-to-rule actions across the country, meaning that they will only perform the minimum amount of work required by their contracts. However, given that 90 percent of CBSA’s border officers have been identified as performing “essential” functions (meaning they cannot be subject to any kind of strike activity), it is difficult to predict the impact these actions will have on the movement of freight or the performance of the supply chain overall.
For its part, CBSA recently provided the industry members of its Border Commercial Consultative Committee (including the Federation) with the following statement on the labour situation and its potential impacts:
CBSA operations will carry on as planned as the Agency continues to ensure the safety and security of Canadians while maintaining the flow of goods and services across the border. However, travellers and businesses could experience an increase in border wait times, picketing outside CBSA premises, and wearing of union-related accessories. The CBSA has been actively working to plan for these situations and has developed mitigation strategies to ensure operations will continue.
The CBSA will respond quickly to any job action or work disruption in order to maintain the safety and security of our border, ensure compliance with our laws, and keep the border open to facilitate the flow of legitimate goods and travel.
It is our understanding that negotations between the union and the Treasury Board are ongoing and that both parties are committed to remaining at the bargaining table until a settlement is reached.
We continue to be in touch with CBSA on this issue and will revert with additional information as it becomes available.
Sincerely,
Karen Kancens
Vice President