While initially saying labour action in the event of a strike would focus on federal government buildings and have a minimal impact on Canadians, striking federal workers are now picketing borders, ports and passport offices - all three of which could impact the travel industry.
On 26APR members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) protested in person at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor and the passport office at the Sinclair Centre in Vancouver. The Windsor Star reports that there were earlier protests at the exit of the Detroit-Windsor tunnel and at intersections leading to the Ambassador Bridge.
As Open Jaw reported, PSAC said it would picket Canadian ports, which could affect both commercial supply chains and cruise services. The union says it picketed the Port of Montreal, the Port of Vancouver, and the Port of St. John's on 24APR.
According to Global News, the union is planning to "shut down access" to the Port of St. John's and the St. Clair centre again on 27APR, as well as picketing the Ambrose-Torquay border crossing in SK.
Over 155,000 PSAC workers have been on strike since 19APR. The union's top demands include a substantial pay hike and remote work allowances. According to Global News, PSAC says it has "moved off" its wage demand of a 13.5 per cent increase but has not been able to come to a deal on all of its demands.
The protestors have so far not impeded traffic at border crossings. As Open Jaw has reported, Service Canada is not processing non-essential passports during the strike, so the passport picket is unlikely to have a further affect on travel.
However, more disruptive protests could be coming if the government and union are unable to come to an agreement and PSAC and its members decide to increase pressure on Canadians by impeding travel and other vital activities.
