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While the plan for Airbus to take a majority stake in the Bombardier C Series airliner could help build a strong future for the program, and the aerospace industry as a whole, it is too early to celebrate, Unifor said.
“It is a sad day that a high-tech Canadian treasure is ending up in European control, but we can take some satisfaction that the C Series is getting some needed stability,” said Unifor national president Jerry Dias.
Over the past few weeks, the U.S Department of Commerce has imposed duties of more than 300 per cent on sales of the C Series.
“The attempt to weaken Bombardier has pushed it to join with one of its competitors, which should not have had needed to happen,” said Dias. “Ultimately, the U.S. actions have created a stronger Bombardier.”
Unifor Quebec director Renaud Gagné said that it was good that the head office for the C Series will remain in Montreal, and production in Canada will remain, but was saddened to hear that a new assembly would also be set up at the Airbus facility in Alabama.
“What is important is that this transaction is accompanied by a firm commitment to retain jobs in the production and to keep the head office here in Quebec, it is important for us,” said Gagné.
Both Dias and Gagné said Unifor will continue to defend quality jobs across the aerospace industry. Unifor represents workers at Pratt & Whitney who manufacture the C Series engines and members at Avior, another subcontractor of the C Series.
