Victoria could be impacted by looming Canada Border Services strike

Between April 10th and May 23rd, employees of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) voted 96% in favour of going on strike in order to gain better wages and workplace conditions.

The CBSA workers are being represented by their union, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), who are fighting with the federal organization on behalf of border services officers at land entry points, airports and marine ports such as those in Victoria. 

“They protect Canada’s borders and are responsible for the inspection and control of people, goods and services entering Canada,” wrote Chris Aylward, National President of the PSAC.

“They deserve fair working conditions, but have been without a contract for more than two years because the government refuses to budge on several key issues.”

Aylward says he and the PSAC have been fighting to get the CBSA officers they represent equal pay and conditions as those who work in other lines of law enforcement throughout the country. 

Specifically, they want their members to have better protections against harassment and discrimination, a fair remote work policy for non-uniformed members and better pay that is in line with the state of affordability in Canada. 

“These are not contentious issues,” Alyward continued.  

“Our bargaining team simply wants to improve the collective agreement and working conditions to make CBSA a better place to work.” 

He says that he and his members do not want a strike to initiate because of their efforts but thus far, the PSAC has not heard a fair deal for their members. 

Now, Alyward is calling upon Treasury Board President Anita Anand, Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc and CBSA President Erin O’Gorman to come to the bargaining table and negotiate a deal. 

Victoria Buzz reached out to the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) to comment on how this may impact incoming cruise ships which the city’s businesses rely on, but as of this publication, received no response.