Canada Border Services Agency workers to get 14.8% wage increase

Thousands of workers at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the Customs and Immigration Union (CIU) are set to receive a 14.8% wage increase over four years – pending member ratification.

The wage increase represents a compounded increase of 15.73%.

Specifically:

• Effective June 21, 2022 – 3.5% + 1.25% for a total compounded increase of 4.8%
• Effective June 21, 2023 – 3% + 2.8% for a total compounded increase of 5.9%
• Effective June 21, 2024 – 2% + 0.25% for a total compounded increase of 2.255%
• Effective June 21, 2025 – 2%

The two parties reached the four-year tentative agreement last week. Upon ratification, the renewed collective agreement will apply to approximately 11,000 employees.

“Our bargaining team worked around the clock to secure the best contract for our members, and this tentative agreement is a testament to their incredible hard work and dedication,” said Sharon DeSousa, PSAC national president. “This is a well-deserved victory for our members at CBSA who safeguard our nation’s borders and ensure the safety and security of all Canadians.”

The four-year agreement will expire on June 20, 2026.

The unions also secured a pensionable $2,500 one-time lump sum payment for all employees in the bargaining unit upon the date of signing.

The agreement also includes other monetary gains, leave improvements and protection for workers amid technological changes in the workplace, among others. The full details of the agreement are available here.

Ratification votes by PSAC-CIU

Ratification votes for PSAC-CIU members working at CBSA is set from June 20 to July 4, 2024.

According to CIU, the ratification vote will be conducted using the same online voting platform used for strike votes earlier this year. Workers can review the ratification kit and view the tentative agreement and ratification vote FAQ here.

“I’m proud of the solidarity our members have shown over the past two years of negotiations,” said Mark Weber, CIU National President. “Our bargaining team couldn’t have won this agreement without the support of thousands of members across the country who supported their efforts.”

The unions’ bargaining team unanimously recommends ratification of the tentative agreement, according to PSAC.

“This tentative agreement demonstrates that the best agreements are always reached at the bargaining table,” said Anita Anand, president of the Treasury Board. “Border Services employees are critical to the safety and security of our borders and this tentative agreement recognizes the importance of that work while remaining reasonable for taxpayers. We are continuing with negotiations for the remaining active bargaining tables and are committed to reaching similar positive outcomes.”

In August 2021, border workers – including CBSA personnel – launched work-to-rule actions that “nearly brought commercial cross-border traffic to a standstill, causing major delays at airports and borders across the country,” noted PSAC. 

Currently, PSAC and CIU – in collaboration with the Occupational Cancer Research Centre (OCRC) – are initiating a study to explore potential cancer risks among Canadian border workers, according to a CBC report. The research addresses long-time agent concerns that long-term exposure to environmental pollutants, especially diesel fumes from freight trucks, may be impacting the health of these employees.