Safran Workers in Montreal Propose New Offer to End Strike, Union Reports

Striking workers at Safran in the Montreal area, who manufacture critical components for Airbus and Boeing aircraft landing gear, have submitted a new counteroffer in hopes of resolving their labor dispute swiftly, according to union officials. The strike, which began on Tuesday, involves workers responsible for producing forgings for the landing gear of popular aircraft models including Airbus’s A320 family and A350, as well as Boeing’s 787.

Union local president Michael Durand informed Reuters that the workers initiated a seven-day strike and are prepared to extend their walkout indefinitely should negotiations fail to yield a satisfactory agreement. This labor action highlights broader trends across North America where workers in various sectors are leveraging tight labor markets and rising inflation to secure substantial contract improvements.

The timing of the strike coincides with significant production challenges faced by Airbus, the world’s largest planemaker, which is currently grappling with parts shortages and labor constraints. These issues are complicating its efforts to ramp up production to meet robust airline demand. Similarly, Boeing is dealing with its own production hurdles, notably a recent reduction in its 787 output, which the company attributes to supplier shortages.

Durand expressed concern that while a brief strike might not disrupt Airbus’s A320 production immediately, an extended dispute could significantly impact operations. “If this goes on for more than two weeks, Airbus will be making calls,” he stated, highlighting the potential broader implications of the strike on global aircraft manufacturing.

Both Boeing and Airbus have deferred comments on the labor dispute to Safran, which has not yet responded publicly to the latest developments. Initially, the union sought a 22% salary increase over three years for Safran’s 130 affected workers, following the conclusion of their six-year contract in December 2023 which ended with an 8.6% wage increase. Safran’s current offer stands at a 14% raise over the same period.

The ongoing negotiations reflect the workers’ determination to secure better compensation, with Durand emphasizing the need to “catch up on salary” to reflect the current economic conditions. The outcome of this labor dispute is being closely watched, given its potential impact on the aviation industry’s supply chain amidst already challenging production environments for major aircraft manufacturers.

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