WINDSOR, Ont. (Sept. 3, 2004) — Truckers returning to Canada this Labour Day weekend may face some of the most intensive border delays since Canadian Customs officers first began scattered work-to-rule protests this summer.

In-coming border traffic is expected to slow to a crawl, as officials are planning to exercise “due diligence” — inspecting vehicles and questioning drivers as meticulously as possible to slow down traffic — at most land ports across Canada.

The officers are protesting dragging contract negotiations with the federal government. In 2000, the job description of Canada’s 4,200 customs officers was revamped, requiring them to enforce the criminal code. Since then, the Customs and Excise Union has been battling the government to raise the officers’ salaries closer to their U.S. Customs and Border Protection counterparts, who get paid about $68,000 US.

The union will enter a legal strike position in about three weeks.

The tactic was first used on the Canada Day holiday weekend when a protest by Customs officers originating at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport spread to border crossings at several points of entry across the country. The officers repeated the tactic in August as well.

But while the officers are scrupulously checking vehicles and drivers, reports suggest they may also observe an unofficial “duty-free day” and turn a blind eye to collecting taxes on U.S.-bought goods being taken across the border.

A union spokesperson told the Toronto Star that the tactic by union members at border points and airports during the August long weekend resulted in “the daily take (of duty fees) dropping from $20,000 to about 100 bucks.”

Making matters worse for Canada-bound travellers and truckers are another 130,000 federal public servants — including clerical and professional staff, as well as taxation and immigration workers at the Canada Revenue Agency — that may enter a legal strike position as early as Labour Day.

Most federal departments will be affected as union members prepare to set up picket lines and information sessions around the country.

— with files from the Toronto Star