Canadian Airbus A220 Workers Escalate Tensions with Strike Vote

Workers at the Canadian assembly line for the Airbus A220 jet, represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), are set to implement pressure tactics starting Monday, following their overwhelming rejection of a proposed contract. This move comes after nearly 99% of the 1,000 voting members opposed the contract and authorized a strike, as reported by union spokesperson Eric Rancourt.

The decision to authorize strike actions highlights significant dissatisfaction among the workforce, which numbers around 1,300 in the Montreal area, tasked with assembling Airbus’s smallest commercial jet in Mirabel, Quebec. This development surfaces amid Airbus’s endeavors to increase A220 production and reduce costs for the program, which has yet to achieve profitability, against the backdrop of a recovering travel industry post-COVID-19.

Union officials have announced plans to resume bargaining on Monday, aligning with the initiation of tactics aimed at slowing down production, although specific strategies were not disclosed. This approach could potentially impact operations not only in Canada but also at a second A220 assembly line located in Mobile, Alabama.

Airbus has expressed recognition of the vote’s outcome, emphasizing its dedication to finding a middle ground that aligns employee interests with the economic challenges facing the A220 program. The proposed deal, which was ultimately rejected, included a 10% wage increase over three years but proposed the elimination of certain retirement benefits. While the union has not specified its wage demands, Rancourt emphasized the importance of advancing working conditions rather than regressing.

As negotiations continue, the union aims for a contract settlement to avert a strike, with outcomes heavily dependent on the employer’s response. The current contract expired last December, and this industrial action reflects a broader trend of unions leveraging tight labor markets and inflation to secure favorable terms, as seen in various sectors throughout 2023.

Related news: https://airguide.info/?s=A220

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, reuters.com