Summary
- The strike at the Bombardier Global plant ends after 18 days with a new 3-year collective agreement.
- The agreement includes a 12.5% wage increase, more pension contributions, and increased job security.
- The new Toronto facility houses Global aircraft production lines and can potentially produce 150 jets per year.
On Wednesday, July 10, Bombardier and Unifor, representing workers at the Bombardier Global plant, came to a collective agreement. This agreement effectively ended the strike that had been going on for 18 days since late June. The new collective agreement will last for three years and is effective for all union members in the Greater Toronto area near Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ). This includes the facility where the Bombardier Global series of aircraft are produced and includes the facilities in Mississauga and Waterloo.
18-day strike ending
The collective agreement has officially been ratified between Bombardier and Unifor Local 112 and Unifor Local 673 members. Unifor Local 112 represents over 1,200 Bombardier production members, and Unifor Local 673 represents 250 office, professional, and technical workers.
The President of Unifor Local 112, John Turner, spoke about the new agreement. Turner stated,
“What changed the outcome of these negotiations and brought a fair deal within reach, was the unwavering support from our members on the picket lines. The historic gains we have made in this agreement would never have happened without strike action that showed the company our members would not back down until a fair deal was reached.”
All the members represented by these two locals are employed at Bombardier facilities in the Toronto metro area. These facilities, including Mississauga and Waterloo, are responsible for producing Bombardier’s largest production line. The facility at the Toronto-Pearson airport is the completion center for the Global series of aircraft.
Related
What Are The 7 Aircraft In The Bombardier Global Family?
A closer look at all the Bombardier Global jets, ranked by range.
This includes the following:
- Bombardier Global 5500
- Bombardier Global 6500
- Bombardier Global 7500
- Bombardier Global 8000 (once it is certified, which is expected in 2025)
The President of Unifor Local 673, Maryellen McIlmoyle, also spoke about the new agreement supporting the Global family of aircraft. McIlmoyle stated,
“It was essential that we secured work ownership over the entire Global jet program to protect our members’ jobs today and for the next generation of Bombardier aerospace workers. Bombardier members are dedicated and hard-working beyond measure.”
The three-year agreement includes several more benefits for the union workers. Specifically, it provides all union members with a general wage increase of about 12.5% over the three years of the agreement. It also includes additional pension contributions and an increase in job security.
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Bombardier: Downsview Ends But Something Better Begins
Bombardier had operated in Downsview since 1992.
About the Bombardier facilities in Toronto
The strike took place at the newest Bombardier facilities in Toronto. This manufacturing facility opened in May after the Canadian manufacturer moved its operation from Downsview Airport (YZD). The new plant cost nearly $500 million to build and open, and as previously mentioned, it houses the manufacturing lines for the Global 5500, the Global 6500, and the Global 7500. However, once the Global 8000 gets certified, which Bombardier plans to certify in 2025, it will join the rest of the Global production lines at this facility. The newest production facility also has the potential to produce over 150 Global jets per year.