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Bombardier Layoffs Expected Friday

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The first round of layoffs at the Bombardier plant in Thunder Bay is expected to begin shortly.

Local Unifor President Dominic Pasqualino explains the company is finalizing how many employees will be affected this week.

“The numbers are between 150 and 200 for this Friday. The ones that don’t go this Friday will more than likely go next Friday.”

He indicates by the end of the year about 450 workers will be laid off because of expiring contracts.

Pasqualino indicates the company needs to quickly get new contracts or by this time next year, there will be no work at the facility.

He stresses they need work right now, noting any new project that they aren’t prepared for would require more than 18 months lead-up time.

 

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Thunder Bay Hopeful For New Transit Contract

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It remains to be seen whether progress in furthering transit projects in southern Ontario will benefit Thunder Bay’s Bombardier plant.

Premier Ford has applauded an endorsement by Toronto City council to support that city’s plan for historic transit expansion from Toronto through to Hamilton.

Ford says in April the province moved forward on the largest single investment in transit in Canadian history, and is pleased two levels of government are now on board.

Local union president Dominic Pasqualino says he’s hopeful the work will make it to Thunder Bay.

 

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New Life For Bombardier In Thunder Bay

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A Bombardier official says a contract to build 36 bi-level cars for Metrolinx is a good first step for the Thunder Bay plant.

Spokesperson David Van der Wee says it’s a good sign for the future of the facility.

“GO Transit has a very big plan to expand service and this is going to be a part of that plan. And I think our employees here have, through their performance over the past 24 months, have really earned that right to have an opportunity to fill those needs.”

Van der Wee says this is a good first step, but stresses they are looking for additional opportunities.

He says while they are confident in finding even more work for the facility, there could be some roadblocks down the road.

“The buy America provision, that’s always been there, but is now increasing from 65% to 70%, really limits the ability for us to be able to use our Canadian manufacturing sites to support the market in the U.S.”

It was announced in July that the Bombardier facility was in line to lose 550 jobs because of expired contracts.