CBSA work-to-rule would create 'chaos,' quick government response, professor says

Starting Friday, roughly 9,000 Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) workers will be in a legal strike position with the Treasury Board of Canada — which oversees the CBSA.

That's if mediation fails between the two sides. They started that process on Monday.

However, because they're deemed an essential service they cannot strike.

Work-to-rule is a strong possibility, according to Carleton University associate professor of management Ian Lee.

He thinks it would create chaos at border crossings and checkpoints by applying all of the rules within their discretion — such as asking every possible question to each vehicle, impounding vehicles and checking luggage without a search warrant.

«You can create tremendous lineups of those trucks and tremendous lineups of people. It'll be very, very disruptive if they do work-to-rule, because so many people cross that border every day.»

Lee says unlike many government jobs, borders are extremely visible, meaning it will be impossible not to notice any disruptions because of job action.

«It has an immediate impact … especially trucks that bring stuff into Canada. And 90 per cent of all the goods that are in Canada come in on trucks, those big 18-wheeler trucks.»

Last month, members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC)-affiliated Customs and Immigration Union (CIU) voted 96 per cent in favour of strike action, according to the union.

PSAC says it still hopes to avoid job action and border disruptions but has set a deadline of 4 p.m. ET on Friday.

The unions say key issues include pay parity with other law enforcement agencies, flexible telework and remote work options, pension benefits and stronger workplace protections.

«One of the other big sticking points as well is '25 and out.'