It’s being seen as a positive sign by Bombardier’s union, as the Ontario government has requested Metrolinx buy another 36 bi-level passenger coaches, in addition to their current order from the Thunder Bay facility.
Unifor spokesperson Dominic Pasqualino says the deal gives them more opportunities, so they don’t have their two existing contracts ending at the same time.
“That would have been devastating for the plant. To have this contract, the option of that going a little bit further, this gives us some opportunities we didn’t have before.”
Metrolinx currently has an order for 63 passenger coaches.
The contract still needs to be approved by Metrolinx and Bombardier.
Pasqualino notes although this contract will help, layoffs are still unavoidable.
Minister of Northern Development and Mines Greg Rickford joined Pasqualino yesterday (Wednesday) to make the announcement.
