Canadian Union Unifor Announces Strike Action Against Bombardier
Canadian workers’ union Unifor announced on Sunday that 1,350 of its members have initiated a strike at Bombardier’s facilities following unsuccessful negotiations to reach a tentative agreement before the Saturday deadline. The union and the company are continuing discussions, aiming to resolve the impasse and resume normal operations.”Bombardier is continuing to negotiate with all parties,” said company spokesman Mark Masluch in an emailed statement to Reuters. “Our goal remains to swiftly reach a mutually beneficial agreement.”Despite negotiations continuing throughout Saturday night, both parties agreed to resume talks early Monday morning. The union’s bargaining committee remains dedicated to reaching an agreement, emphasizing their commitment to the bargaining process.Unifor, a general trade union, did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the strike’s specifics, while Bombardier declined to provide further details.This strike follows a similar action by Unifor in July 2021 at Bombardier’s Toronto business jet assembly plant. That strike lasted a week before a three-year collective agreement was ratified, which included wage increases and higher monthly pension benefits.The current strike underscores ongoing labor tensions and highlights the challenges in negotiating agreements that satisfy both worker demands and company capabilities.
