The workforce at Thunder Bay’s Bombardier plant is about to shrink by 200 people.
The company’s Chief Operating Officer David Van der Wee, tells us due to a forecast which shows no work by the end of 2021, 125 people will be laid off in October, and another 75 in the spring.
However, the company COA adds there is a glimmer of hope, in that the Toronto Transit Commission still needs 60 street cars. Van der Wee points out the TTC is very pleased with what it calls the exceptional work done in Thunder Bay in the past. Furthermore, the company COA says if Thunder Bay can secure these 60 cars, that could act as a holdover until officials can tap into Premier Ford’s ambitious transportation plan for Ontario, including more subways in Toronto, which means more contracts.
Van der Wee also gives credit to many in Thunder Bay for their continued support of Bombardier, including the Mayor, as well as the Chamber of Commerce, the Council of Economic Development, and Unifor, both at the local and national level.
