Blue Water Bridge workers begin strike, traffic keeps flowing

POINT EDWARD, Ont. -- Federal officials say traffic is flowing smoothly across Canada's second-busiest border crossing to the United States, despite a strike that began early this morning.

Workers at the Blue Water Bridge -- which links Point Edward, Ont. near Sarnia, and Port Huron, Mich. -- began their strike about 6 a.m. after giving the required 72-hour notice.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada and the Federal Bridge Corporation negotiated during the weekend but didn't reach an agreement for the 47 unionized workers that staff the bridge.

The Federal Bridge Corporation says it will keep the traffic flowing with trained management and other non-union employees.

Bridge spokesman Andre Girard said about an hour after the strike began that traffic was moving well. A government website that tracks all of Canada's border crossings also said there were no delays at Blue Water Bridge.

The union says the employer wants cuts to workers' benefits and has demanded major concessions that would have set workers back years. The Federal Bridge Corporation claims PSAC refused to negotiate in good faith.

The bridge is a major link between Canada and the U.S. and carries in excess of 15,000 vehicles on peak days, making it the second-busiest border crossing after the one at Windsor, Ont.