Airbus Canada union members in Mirabel rejected the employer’s offer as part of negotiations on their collective agreement and took a strike vote, the union of the International Association of Machinists and Workers announced on Sunday. aerospace (AIMTA).
The union indicated, in a press release, that more than 82% of union members spoke out during the vote. Among them, 99.6% of members of the Airbus Canada unit, local 712, spoke out against the employer’s offer. The unit represents nearly 1,300 workers.
The strike vote was supported by 98.9% of members who voted, thus giving the union the power to launch an indefinite general strike.
According to the machinists’ union, salary increases, shift and assignment bonuses, vacations, work schedules, obtaining job guarantees and the pension and group insurance plan are the issues. at the heart of the negotiations.
“With the inflation of the last two years, the salary increases that are proposed today, they do not even make up for the loss of purchasing power,” explained Éric Rancourt, spokesperson at the negotiating table and representative of the IAMAW for Quebec.
The collective agreement for Mirabel workers expired on December 1, 2023, and discussions with the management began last November.
The union points out that Airbus Canada plans to make the A220 aircraft program, formerly Bombardier’s C Series, profitable by 2026.
“The challenge to achieve profitability for the employer is to achieve its objective of 14 planes per month, 10 in Mirabel, and four in Mobile, Alabama. But to achieve that, the employer needs the 100% commitment of the workers, and to obtain it, they will need a good employment contract,” argued Mr. Rancourt.
“Today, what we are seeing is that commitment is eroding, because there is disappointment on the part of the workers in what was submitted,” he added.
Even though the union now has the power to call a strike, it is not there yet, Mr. Rancourt said.
“What we are going to do, tomorrow morning [lundi]”is establishing pressure tactics inside the factory, to slow down production, among other things,” he said, without wanting to divulge more details.
The two sides will continue their discussions at the negotiating table on Monday.
“This first offer was proposed to the union, following open discussions which took place for several months and took into account, in particular, the current context of the A220 which has not yet reached its profitability threshold. It was therefore a step in the negotiations. Although we consider that this was a rational offer in line with the economic context of the A220 program, we take note of the results of the vote,” responded Airbus Canada spokesperson Amélie Forcier by email.
She also indicated that Airbus “is committed to the commitment of its employees”, and that it wishes to “continue the constructive dialogue which has begun in recent months”.