FORT ERIE, Ontario (WKBW) — The union representing workers at the Canadian border is set to begin a 'work-to-rule' strike on August 6, which is likely going to impact lines for when fully-vaccinated Americans are able to cross on August 9.
While the PSAC-CIU says they will not organize picket lines at the border, they will perform 'work-to-rule' action which means they won't work overtime, on breaks, and they will ask every question in their manuals at ports of entry.
Workers say they are striking in order to, "address the toxic workplace culture at CBSA and provide parity with other law enforcement personnel across Canada."
The strike is set to begin at 6 a.m. on August 6.
Immigration laywer and Partner at Fiegel, Carr & Joyce Law Firm, Jamie Fiegel, says she predicts these strikes will affect traffic when the border opens to nonessential visitors on Monday.
"On Monday, if this is not resolved, this is going to be a roadblock of disastrous consequences due to the way they are going to process people," Fiegel said.
Fiegel's advice is to not travel across the border unless you have to.
"If you don’t have a really good reason to go right now, you might want to reevaluate why you’re going until the strike is resolved and the border has a little bit more of leniency in terms of what you need to go over," Fiegel said.
The Canadian border workers union began their strike today. This is causing backup at the border and traffic delays throughout Buffalo.
— Natalie Fahmy (@NatalieFahmy) August 6, 2021
I’ve been driving north on Niagara St. for about 20 minutes and have moved less than a mile. @WKBW pic.twitter.com/9QqndfmCNs
You can read more about the union's plans to strike by clicking here.
If you're planning on crossing the border, you can read about the guidance by clicking here.
