Airbus Implements Mandatory Weekend Overtime at Montreal A220 Plant to Address Production Delays
Airbus has announced plans to implement mandatory weekend overtime for workers at its Montreal-area A220 factory, aiming to mitigate ongoing production delays. This decision comes as the aircraft manufacturer faces increased industrial pressures due to parts and labor shortages, affecting its delivery schedules.
The A220, a single-aisle jet seating approximately 110 to 130 passengers, has been particularly impacted by these delays. According to sources familiar with the matter, this model is among those most affected at Airbus, the world’s largest planemaker. The mandatory overtime strategy was communicated to employees as Airbus’s Canadian division prepares to discuss the plan further with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) union.
This development is part of a broader context of supply chain issues that have plagued Airbus, with several dozen aircraft anticipated to experience additional delays entering the assembly process in the latter half of the year. Despite setting conservative delivery targets, Airbus faces a narrowing buffer against further industrial setbacks, with productivity challenges noted as early as March at the Montreal-area facility.
Airbus aims to increase A220 production to 14 jets a month by 2026, up from six a month as of December 2022. This increase is planned across its two manufacturing sites in Mirabel, Quebec, and Mobile, Alabama. However, the company has acknowledged the complexities of the current operational environment, indicating that jet deliveries are expected to be concentrated in the second half of the year.
Christian Bertrand, president of the Machinists’ union local representing the A220 workers, emphasized the need to respect collective agreement mechanisms before imposing additional overtime. This statement reflects broader labor market dynamics where unions are increasingly leveraging tight labor conditions to negotiate more favorable working terms. This situation mirrors ongoing contract talks at Boeing, Airbus’s U.S. rival, where unionized workers are challenging mandatory weekend overtime.
As Airbus navigates these challenges, the outcome of these discussions and the implementation of the weekend overtime policy will be critical in determining the company’s ability to meet its production and delivery goals amidst a complex global supply chain environment.