Airbus Canada union members in Mirabel massively rejected, for the second time on Sunday, an employer offer for the renewal of their collective agreement, which expired last December.
Mirabel workers, represented by local section 712 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW), met Sunday in Laval, and voted 99.9% against the new employer offer, following the recommendation of their negotiating committee.
Among the 1,300 workers represented by this section, 79% expressed their views during the vote, or more than 1,000 union members.
On March 17, workers voted 99.6% against the first employer offer.
Several aspects of the employer’s offer are still unsatisfactory according to the workers, despite improvements since March on the salary side, indicates Éric Rancourt, spokesperson at the negotiating table and representative of IAMAW Canada for Quebec.
“What remains as a subject is the salary catch-up due to recent years with [l’inflation] and soaring prices. There is also the indexation of the pension plan to the cost of living, there are working hours, group insurance, job security, outsourcing and the duration of the contract is also an issue,” explains Mr. Rancourt.
Airbus union members in Mirabel work on A220 planes. Airbus Canada wants to make the program of these aircraft, formerly the Bombardier C Series, profitable by 2026.
“The people who work on the A220, over the last 20 years, they have made a lot of sacrifices to ensure the success of the program. Now, what they want is a return on their investment by catching up with their working conditions,” maintains Mr. Rancourt.
The union is planning a “response” from Monday morning, but Mr. Rancourt did not want to reveal these pressure tactics in order to maintain the “surprise effect”.
However, there is no question of calling a strike yet, as negotiations between the two parties also resume on Monday.
“We are giving ourselves one last chance to reach a negotiated agreement. As far as the union side is concerned, we have an opening for dialogue, it will now depend on the attitude of the employer at the table tomorrow [lundi] », affirms Mr. Rancourt.
Airbus Canada reacted to the union vote on Sunday, saying it was “determined to continue the dialogue that has begun” with the aim of “finding an agreement that suits both parties and ensures the long-term success of the A220.” .
“We submitted a new improved offer on March 29 to the Union. The dialogue at the table is open and constructive, but there remains a gap between the Union’s demands and the current financial capacity of the A220 which has not yet reached its break-even point. We take note of the results of the vote and remain committed to reconciling the interests of our employees with the economic imperatives of the A220,” said Annabelle Duchesne, head of communications at Airbus Canada, by email.
The collective agreement for Mirabel workers expired on 1er December 2023, and discussions with the employer side began last November.