It’s being seen as a positive sign by Bombardier’s union, as the Ontario government has requested Metrolinx buy another 36 bi-level passenger coaches, in addition to their current order from Thunder Bay’s Bombardier facility.
Unifor Local 1075 President Dominic Pasqualino tells us this gives them more opportunities, so they don’t have their two existing contracts ending at the same time.
“That would have been devastating for the plant. To have this contract, the option of that going a little bit further, this gives us some opportunities we didn’t have before.”
Metrolinx currently has an order for 63 passenger coaches. The add on to their deal still needs to be formalized.
Pasqualino notes, although this contract will help layoffs are still unavoidable.
Minister of Northern Development Greg Rickford made the announcement at Unifor’s office on Alloy Drive this morning.
Yesterday, Chief Operating Officer David Van der Wee visited the plant to talk with local employees.
