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Unifor Local 112 and 673 members at the Bombardier Downsview plant delivered a strong strike mandate over the weekend as the union ramps up negotiations with the employer.
Local 112 represents production workers and skilled trades at the Downsview facility who voted 96% in favour of authorizing the union to take strike action, if necessary. Local 673 technical, office and professional workers at the plant voted 89% in favour.
“These negotiations are about protecting advanced manufacturing jobs vital to our community, the industry, and our national economy,” said Scott McIlmoyle, Unifor Local 112 President, representing 1,257 members at the Downsview plant.
Unifor members at the Downsview plant previously outlined a broad range of bargaining proposals. At issue is Bombardier Aerospace’s plan to move its current operations to a new facility at Pearson International Airport. The union is seeking strong job security protections as well as firm work and program commitments from the company.
“This is about getting a fair deal that gives our members the respect they deserve and provides the job security they need to successfully transition to the new facility,” added Scott McIlmoyle.
Bombardier Aerospace previously announced it would sell the Downsview facility and move operations in early 2018. The following year, the Greater Toronto Airports Authority and Bombardier reached a long-term lease agreement to build a new manufacturing centre for its Global 7500 business jets.
The union is also focused on members’ bargaining proposals to improve wages, pensions, and health care benefits as well as address numerous issues related to contracting out bargaining unit work.
“Our union will not accept any erosion of our bargaining unit or our work ownership protections,” said Maryellen McIlmoyle, Unifor Local 673 President, representing 204 office and clerical members at the plant. “Our message is simple: We want a deal with Bombardier that respects what we’ve earned to-date.”
The current collective agreement expires June 21, 2021.