The union representing nearly 9,000 Canada Border Services Agency employees says travellers and commercial traffic entering Canada should expect long lineups and lengthy delays starting Friday.

Canada Border Services Agency employees begin job action across the country August 6th which is three days before Canada reopens the border to the United States.

In a news release issued today (weds) the Public Service Alliance of Canada says it served strike notice to the government Tuesday and the strike activity will be taking place at all Canadian airports, land borders, commercial shipping ports, postal facilities and headquarters locations and could have a “dramatic impact” on Canada’s supply chain and the government’s plans to reopen the border to U.S. travellers on August 9.

PSAC national president Chris Aylward, says, “We truly hoped we wouldn’t be forced to take strike action, but we’ve exhausted every other avenue to reach a fair contract with the government. Treasury Board and CBSA have been clear they aren’t prepared to address critical workplace issues at CBSA at the bargaining table.”

Customs and Immigration Union national president Mark Weber says they have served Canadians throughout the pandemic, “Keeping our borders safe, screening travellers for COVID-19 and clearing vital vaccine shipments. Now it’s time for the government to step up for CBSA employees.”

Unionized employees with PSAC and the Customs and Immigration Union have been without a contract for over three years. The news release says they are seeking better protections against a toxic workplace culture at CBSA, and greater parity with other law enforcement agencies across Canada.