Ottawa, ON — A potential strike by Canada’s border workers has been averted as the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) reached a tentative agreement with the federal government late Tuesday. The deal, affecting over 9,000 employees of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), comes after intensive round-the-clock negotiations.
The union had warned of a strike set to begin at 12:01 a.m. Friday if an agreement was not reached, threatening to disrupt commercial border traffic and cause significant delays. This outcome mirrors a similar situation three years ago, which severely impacted border operations.
Sharon DeSousa, PSAC’s national president, hailed the agreement as a “well-deserved victory” for the workers. Details of the tentative deal will be disclosed to union members on Thursday, with a vote to ratify the agreement to follow.
In a press release, the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat acknowledged the “long hours at the bargaining table” that led to the agreement, which it described as “fair for employees and reasonable for Canadians.” While specific terms, including wage enhancements and additional benefits, will be detailed later, the resolution marks a significant step towards stability at Canada’s borders.
The union’s approval is still required to finalize the deal, but the announcement has brought relief to both border employees and those relying on efficient border operations.