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Strategic investments in workforce development, coupled with wise regulation, will help Canada maintain its unique aerospace advantage, according to a new policy paper published April 12 by Unifor.
“The success of the Canadian aerospace industry is no accident,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National president. “Maintaining our advantage will take collaborative planning from industry, labour, and all levels of government.”
The policy paper, titled Soaring Higher: A Sector Strategy for the Aerospace Industry, describes eight comprehensive recommendations, including leveraging the power of government, enhancing workforce development and planning, maintaining employment quality, making trade fair, and amping up multi-stakeholder collaboration.
“Knowing how fierce worldwide competition is, it is particularly important for the government to consult and to take action,” said Renaud Gagné, Unifor’s Quebec director. “The recent attacks by the U.S. government against this industry and especially against the CSeries, which represents thousands of jobs, demonstrate there is a need to be proactive.”
During April 16 to 19, Unifor members from across the country working in the aerospace sector will be meeting with members of Parliament to discuss the union’s sector strategy and offer concrete recommendations.
Unifor said the federal government has a significant role to play in ensuring the long term viability of Canada’s aerospace industry which is a source of good jobs, economic activity in multiple regions, and cutting-edge innovation. The union represents 11,000 aerospace workers across Canada.
To read the Unifor aerospace strategy paper, click here.
Unifor is Canada’s largest union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.
