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TORONTO – Workers at Toronto’s Bombardier aerospace plant will walk out of the facility Wednesday morning to call on Boeing to drop its trade complaint against the company. "The workers at Bombardier are well aware that Boeing has no case, and that workers will end up paying the price as corporations fight this out," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “This rally is about making sure the workers’ voice is heard in this dispute.” Dias met last week with Boeing officials in Washington, DC, to discuss the company’s trade complaint involving Bombardier's C-Series planes, and to encourage Boeing to drop the case and seek a resolution with Bombardier. Boeing filed a trade complaint with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the US International Trade Commission claiming that Bombardier was able to sell the C-Series plane to Delta Air Lines at an artificially low price thanks to support from the Canadian and Quebec governments, a claim that Bombardier denies. A ruling is expected next week. Unifor is holding the public action to send a message about flaws in Canada’s trade agreements. The union says that the Boeing dispute is an example of how big companies use trade rules and the complaint processes to control the market, with workers paying the price. Members of the public are invited to attend. • WHAT: Bombardier workers rally calling for Boeing to drop its trade complaint • WHEN: Wednesday, September 20, 2017, 11:30 a.m. • WHERE: 123 Garrett Boulevard, Downsview • WHO: Speaking will be Jerry Dias, Unifor National President, Scott McIlmoyle, Unifor Local 112 President representing production workers at Bombardier, and Maryellen McIlmoyle, Unifor Local 673 President representing office workers at Bombardier “Boeing’s hypocrisy on government support needs to be called out,” said Unifor Local 112 President Scott McIlmoyle. Bombardier employs more than 24,000 people in Canada directly and at supplier facilities, with an estimated 40,000 spin off jobs created as well. “We cannot sit by while jobs are put at risk by these high-stake corporate games,” said Maryellen McIlmoyle, President of Unifor Local 673. Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing more than 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future. For more information, please contact Unifor Communications National Representative Stuart Laidlaw at @email or (cell) 647-385-4054.
