Border guards and other workers at the Canada Border Services Agency have started a work-to-rule campaign.
Their unions, the Public Service Alliance of Canada and the Customs and Immigration Union, served notice earlier this week the work-to-rule campaign would go ahead if they couldn't reach a contract agreement with the Treasury Board of Canada.
The unions warned essential travellers they could face long lineups at the border as officials ask more questions than usual.
The timing of the campaign also comes three days before Canada expects to start welcoming fully vaccinated Americans back into the country.
PSAC said in a tweet that talks are ongoing.
Our FB bargaining team has been at the table all night, and we're giving them a bit more time to negotiate.
In the meantime, work-to-rule actions have started across the country. We'll provide an update as soon as possible. #cdnpoli— PSAC-AFPC (@psac_afpc) August 6, 2021
The issues in the dispute include wage parity with other law enforcement agencies in Canada, and language in the contract ensuring border guards do not work alone.
Border guards have been working without a contract for the past three years.
