The strike at the Bombardier Global plant in Toronto comes to an end

On Wednesday, July 10, Bombardier and Unifor, the union representing workers at the Bombardier Global plant, reached a collective bargaining agreement that effectively ended the strike that had lasted 18 days since late June. The new collective bargaining agreement is for three years and applies to all union members in the Greater Toronto Area near Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), including the plant that produces Bombardier Global Series aircraft, as well as the Mississauga and Waterloo plants.

18-day strike ends

The collective agreement has been officially ratified between Bombardier and members of Unifor Local 112 and Unifor Local 673. Unifor Local 112 represents over 1,200 Bombardier manufacturing members and Unifor Local 673 represents 250 clerical, professional and technical employees.

Unifor Local 112 President John Turner spoke about the new agreement. Turner stated:

“What changed the outcome of these negotiations and brought a fair agreement within reach was the unwavering support of our members on the picket lines. The historic gains we made with this agreement would never have happened without strike action. They showed the company that our members would not back down until a fair agreement was reached.”

All members represented by these two chapters are employed at Bombardier plants in the Greater Toronto Area. These plants, including Mississauga and Waterloo, are responsible for producing Bombardier’s largest production line. The Toronto Pearson Airport plant is the completion center for the Global series of aircraft.

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A closer look at all of Bombardier Global’s jets, sorted by range.

This includes the following:

• Bombardier 5500
• Bombardier 6500
• Bombardier 7500
• Bombardier Global 8000 (after certification, expected in 2025)

Unifor Local 673 President Maryellen McIlmoyle also spoke about the new agreement to support the Global family of aircraft. McIlmoyle stated:

“It was critical that we secured ownership of the entire Global Jet program to secure our members’ jobs today and for the next generation of Bombardier aviation workers. Bombardier’s members are extremely dedicated and hardworking.”

The three-year contract also provides further benefits for union members. Specifically, it means a general wage increase of around 12.5 percent for all union members over the three-year term of the contract. It also includes additional pension contributions and increased job security.

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Bombardier: Downsview ends, but something better begins

Bombardier has operated in Downsview since 1992.

About Bombardier’s Toronto offices

The strike took place at Bombardier’s newest facilities in Toronto. This manufacturing plant opened in May after the Canadian manufacturer moved its operations from Downsview Airport (YZD). The new plant cost nearly $500 million to build and open and, as mentioned, it houses the production lines for the Global 5500, Global 6500 and Global 7500. However, once the Global 8000 is certified, which Bombardier plans to do in 2025, it will join the rest of the Global production lines at this facility. The newest manufacturing plant also has the potential to produce over 150 Global jets per year.