The Public Service Alliance of Canada and the Customs and Immigration Union says in a news release, if an agreement isn’t reached with Canada Border Services Agency and the Treasury Board by just after midnight Friday morning, more than 9,000 union members will begin job action across the country.

President of the Public Service Alliance, Sharon DeSousa, says they are still hopeful to avoid a strike and potential disruptions at Canada’s borders. Workers have been without a contract for over two years. Members include border services officers at airports, land entry points, marine ports, and commercial ports of entry, inland enforcement officers, intelligence officers, investigators, trade officers, and more than 2,000 non-uniformed staff.

DeSousa notes that in 2021, job action nearly brought commercial cross-border traffic to a standstill because of major delays at borders and airports. There was a marathon 36-hour bargaining session to reach an agreement. The two sides remain in negotiations this week with the assistance of a mediator.