Protests by customs agents cause border delays

OTTAWA (Oct. 1, 2002) — Customs officers on a work-to-rule campaign continue to cause delays at border crossings and international airports in Canada.

Long waits were reported in certain spots after protests began Saturday. At the Queenston-Lewiston bridge, drivers waited up to 75 minutes to enter Canada; the wait was 90 minutes at the Blue Water Bridge, connecting Sarnia and Port Huron, Mich.

Customs agents have been asking for wage parity with immigration officers since July 2000. The wage difference is $2,200 a year.

In protest, customs officers have sent an unusually high number of travellers to immigration officers for further follow-up, causing delays.

Ron Moran, national vice-president of the Customs Excise Union, said customs agents are not allowed to strike, but they will be participating in tactics that will disrupt passengers and freight at port facilities across the country.

Caroline Jacques, a spokesperson for the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, called the protests “sporadic job action. … It’s intermittent and it’s done by a limited number of customs officers.”