Unifor helping Bombardier members

TORONTO, May 14, 2015 /CNW/ - Unifor will meet with its members at Bombardier and company executives to discuss the impact of layoffs announced this morning, and to safeguard the interests of its members.

"Unifor is here for the membership, and we will do all we can for them through this process," said Scott McIlmoyle, President of Unifor Local 112, which represents production workers at Bombardier's Downsview plant.

McIlmoyle said the first order of business will be to sort out the exact impact and timing of the layoffs on Unifor members. Besides the members of Local 112, Unifor also represents office and clerical staff at the Downsview plant, members of Unifor Local 673, and finishing workers in Local 62 in Montreal.

Unifor Aerospace Director Dawn Cartwright said the planned introduction of a new aircraft to the Downsview production line shows the company sees a strong future for the plant, and that this layoff is a reflection of current conditions in the business jet market.

"The business jet industry has its ups and downs, that's why we negotiate things like recall rights and notice periods, to help smooth out the process," Cartwright said.

"A new aircraft is coming to our plant. We are confident in the longer term."

Cartwright said Unifor representatives will meet with the company. After notice, layoffs not expected until September at earliest.

"We will be meeting with the company to get those details, but it may take a week or two to confirm the exact impact on our members," she said.

Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing more than 305,000 workers, including 11,000 in the aerospace industry. It was formed Labour Day weekend 2013 when the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union merged.

SOURCE Unifor

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