(Ottawa) The union that represents thousands of Canadian border workers said it would begin pressure tactics Friday afternoon if no agreement is reached by then.
The Public Service Alliance of Canada said it still hopes to avoid a strike and disruption at the border, but has set the deadline for Friday at 4 p.m. Eastern time.
More than 9,000 union members who work for the Canada Border Services Agency have been without a contract for more than two years.
Both sides entered mediation on Monday.
The union says key issues include pay parity with other law enforcement agencies, flexible telework options, retirement benefits and enhanced workplace protections.
The organization recalls that the pressure tactics deployed three years ago by border service personnel “almost paralyzed cross-border commercial traffic, causing significant delays at airports and borders across the country.”