UPDATE: THE CBC REPORTS A DEAL HAS BEEN REACHED TO AVOID POTENTIAL JOB ACTION THIS WEEK
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Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - As negotiations continue between the Canada Border Services Agency and its employees, delays could get extensive heading into Canada this weekend, as agents may resort to working to rule.
The CBSA agents are looking to renegotiate contract terms, says attorney Jennifer Behm of Berardi Immigration Law.
"If they do go on strike, because 90% of that workforce is what's considered essential, they can't stop working all together," said Behm, explaining work to rule. "Work to rule is a form of action, where the officers will perform their duties according to their employment contracts and regulations that generally govern their work. Most notably, for the border officers, they're going to adhere really strictly to all of the safety and procedural guidelines that are part of their job duties."
That is aimed at slowing things down without breaking any laws, and putting pressure on negotiating the contract to their terms that satisfy both parties.
Behm warns travelers heading into Canada to expect lots of personal questions when you reach the border station. If this happens, be prepared to sit at the border for a long time.
"If we're going up to Crystal Beach or to the GTA [Greater Toronto Area] to go see a concert or do something that's fun, touristy while the weather's nice, I think that getting across the border and into Canada is going to take a very long time," Behm said with WBEN.
She advises you check the border wait times before you head out. If delays are significant and it's going to throw a wrench in your plans, maybe pivot and reschedule your plans, or make sure you're allowing yourself lots of time to travel and get up into Canada.
Back in 2021, Behm says CBSA agents conducted work to rule while there were COVID travel restrictions in place. She says wait times then were 3-to-4 hours.
This time, Behn thinks it can reach upwards of 6-to-7 hours, and that's going to back traffic up significantly.
