Strike by Customs Workers in Canada Causing Delays

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ong delays were reported at border crossings between the United States and Ontario, Canada, on Thursday as a nationwide strike of public employees in Canada continued.

The Canada Border Services Agency said on its Web site commercial traffic were facing delays of about 2 hours at the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge, Peace Bridge and Blue Water Bridge. Shorter delays were reported at other busy crossing including the Ambassador Bridge on Thursday, although it was more than three hours on Wednesday night, the Buffalo News reported.

Truck traffic entering the United States generally had a 90-minute wait, the Buffalo News reported.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada said about 130,000 employees, some of whom are border inspectors, went on strike Tuesday, leaving only workers considered essential to report for work.

Some of the delays have occurred because replacement employees were following detailed instructions in inspecting trucks, the Associated Press reported.