The union representing thousands of Canadian border workers says they will begin work on Friday afternoon if an agreement is not reached by that time.

The Canadian Public Service Alliance explained that it still hopes to avoid strikes and border disruptions, but it has set a deadline for Friday at 4 PM Eastern time.

More than 9,000 union members working at the Canada Border Services Agency have gone without contracts for more than two years.

Both sides entered mediation on Monday.

The union said key issues include wage parity with other law enforcement agencies, flexible remote work and telework options, pension benefits, and stronger workplace protections.

It added that the job action taken by border agency workers three years ago "almost led to a halt of commercial traffic across the border, causing significant delays at airports and borders nationwide."