Guards vow to 'shut the border down' as tensions soar during Toronto Pearson Airport protest
Border guards vowed to “shut the border down” — or come as close to it as they legally can — at a demonstration at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport Monday.
The demonstration was a show of resolve before the unions that represent some 8500 Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) officers and customs officials are in a legal right to strike position on Friday.
“We screened every traveller for COVID, we kept the border running, our employer won’t even speak to us at the bargaining table,” said Mark Weber, the national president of the Customs and Immigration Union.
That union, and the Public Service Alliance of Canada, say they have the right to strike as of August 6, just days before Canada reopens its borders to vaccinated U.S. travellers.
“We’ve been without a contract for three years,” said Frances Baroutoglou, Toronto’s CIU France president. “Through COVID we’ve continued to keep the border safe. We’ve taken on extra duties. We want a fair contract.”
Dozens of workers, wearing sandwich boards and carrying banners, chanted, “Shut it down! Shut it down!” as they walked around an entrance to the airport Monday afternoon.
“Come Friday, we’re going to wreak havoc on the border,” said Baroutoglou in to the microphone.
It’s not yet clear what the union’s strategy will be if it comes to a strike. There are more than 1200 entry points across Canada that could see an impact.
But despite the rhetoric, many border workers could be deemed essential, meaning they could slow, but not stop, their work.
“The borders will function but there will be a disruption,” Baroutoglou said in an interview. “We’ll be in a position where we can work to rule. Doing our job but only to the letter of the law.”
At issue, according to a public interest commission report, is wages. The employer has posed 2.8, 2.2, and 1.5 per cent increases in the first three years of a settlement.
It says that’s in line with 50 recent settlements in the public service.
But the unions want 4.4 per cent on top of that, arguing they need to catch up to other law enforcement agencies like the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The employer rejects the comparison.
Other issues include reducing on-the-job harassment, giving time to practice with firearms, and a guarantee no officer will work alone.
“We need to make sure people feel safe at work,” said Baroutoglou.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Another suspect arrested in Toronto Pearson airport gold heist: police
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Hailey and Justin Bieber are expecting their first child
Hailey Rhode Bieber, Canadian musician Justin Bieber's wife, announced her pregnancy on social media on Thursday. Hailey posted a series of photos showing her baby bump alongside husband Justin.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Poilievre-led government 'would never' use notwithstanding clause on abortion, his office says
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Cyclist strikes child crossing the street to catch school bus in Montreal
A video circulating on social media of a young girl being hit by a bike has some calling for better safety and more caution when designing bike lanes in the city. The video shows a four-year-old girl crossing Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood to get on a school bus stopped on the opposite side of the street