The incoming new CEO of the Community Economic Development Commission calls the massive layoffs at the local Bombardier plant unfortunate. Eric Zakrewski tells us he wants to ensure the highly skilled men and women at Bombardier are a huge asset to the local economy. He explains, “the CEDC is working hard behind the scenes with various parties to help secure more contracts and work. If that’s not possible, we will be working on finding opportunities for securing work for our highly skilled folks at Bombardier.”
It is expected that between 150 and 200 Bombardier workers will be laid off by Friday. A Unifor official indicates by the end of the year about 450 workers will be laid off because of expiring contracts, bringing the current workforce of close to 700 to about 250.
Zakrewski was born and raised in Thunder Bay and has spent the last 25 years working in the business sector in Thunder Bay and northwestern Ontario. The new CEO tells us he will be spending his first year following up on short term goals like getting to know officials at the local education sector, hospital and other major employers in our community. He stresses his work will be to focus on our city’s advantages and the high number of students graduating from technological fields.
Zakrewski’s first day on the job is November 18th. He takes over for outgoing CEO Doug Murray.
