It could be a major hit for the northern Ontario economy.
There are multiple reports that the Bombardier plant in Thunder Bay is set to lose 550 jobs.
Unifor spokesperson Dominic Pasqualino says he hasn’t received word yet from the company about any layoffs.
He goes on to say “the union and the company knew that layoffs were happening because [the plant] was going to run out of work at the end of the year.”
Pasqualino adds “the governments are aware of the impending layoffs and have been meeting with Bombardier but so far no new contracts have been signed.”
Two of the local plant’s major contracts, including the TTC, are coming to an end very soon.
The Chief Operating Officer of Bombardier Transportation, Americas Region, David Van der Wee, will hold a town hall meeting with local employees on Wednesday morning.
He’ll speak with media later in the day.
John Fraser, Interim Leader of the Ontario Liberals, says his heart goes out to the workers and their families who learned of the looming layoffs.
In a tweet, he urges the government to work with the company to protect as many jobs as possible.
He adds it’s crucial they get the support they deserve during this difficult transition.
My statement regarding the news of the Bombardier layoffs in Thunder Bay #OnPoli pic.twitter.com/cYQMREbA8H
— John Fraser (@JohnFraserOS) July 10, 2019
Meanwhile, NDP MPP Judith Monteith-Farrell is urging the province to “get in gear” and take action, rather than just letting the jobs go.
She adds “This Bombardier plant is the cornerstone of Thunder Bay’s economy. The news that hundreds of workers will lose their jobs is causing anxiety across the region.”
