Border Guards Frustrated

(Sun Media)

Canadian customs agents working without a contract

The union representing Canadian border guards says its members are frustrated they’ve been working almost 11 months without a contract.

As talks to reach a deal resume in Ottawa today, a member of the border guards’ bargaining team says union and management negotiators are heading toward "an impasse.”

While there were reports of a work-to-rule campaign by customs agents at border crossings, traffic appears for the most part to be flowing well into Canada from the U.S.

“I’m getting calls and so is (the) president of Niagara Falls (branch) that the members have taken upon themselves to do some job action,” said Dave VanHelvert, a member of the bargaining team for the Customs and Excise Union.

Traffic entering Niagara Falls was backed up onto the Rainbow Bridge. Drivers crossing at Fort Erie endured a slight back up, but continued to move through the border point.

Wage proposals are expected to be presented when talks resume today, VanHelvert said.

“This June, it will be a year without a contract so people are getting kind of upset,” said VanHelvert.