THUNDER BAY – Bombardier Transportation has requested a Ministry Supervised Vote in an attempt to end the strike in Thunder Bay, to the benefit of everyone.
In a media statement issued by the company, “Over the past several weeks, Bombardier Transportation has clearly informed the Unifor Local 1075 Union that the Company wants to negotiate in good faith. Unfortunately, the Union has time and again rejected the company’s offers, with no real counter offer for discussion or further negotiation. As a result, Bombardier Transportation has now concluded that it will not be able to achieve a new contract agreement through a traditional negotiations process.
“Bombardier has therefore requested that the Ontario Minister of Labour conduct and supervise a secret ballot vote of Unifor employees on Bombardier’s last contractual offer. The decision to request a Ministry supervised vote is a necessary step to end the strike and get valued employees back to work.
“Bombardier is deeply disappointed that the Union has not shared accurate information about the current contract proposal, and calls upon its leaders to be transparent about the details of the offer as soon as possible. Bombardier’s contract proposal is simple, and ensures two key points:
1- All current employees will receive wage increases and see absolutely NO CHANGES OR IMPACT to their existing defined-benefits pension plan. It is and will remain 100% funded by the company.
2- All future employees will have the opportunity to accept full pensions and benefits through a Defined Contribution Pension Plan, while giving the company the resources needed to invest in the future.
“Bombardier feels strongly that its employees deserve the opportunity to voice their own opinions on the contract proposal and avoid further hardship by returning to work at the earliest chance. The Ministry supervised vote will give employees the chance to have their voice heard – something the union leadership has refused to afford them.
“Bombardier urges all employees to show their support for the future of the Thunder Bay facility and vote in favour of this competitive contract offer”.
