Union Workers Vote "Yes" On Concessions Aimed At Landing C-Series Jobs

Workers at Bombardier's Montreal facilities are willing to bet their paychecks to land construction of the company's new C-series regional jet. They approved a new concessionary contract over the weekend by an overwhelming margin -- more than 90-percent voting "yes."

"We believe we've now done what we needed to do to obtain the C-series here in Montreal," said Dave Chartrand, president of the plant local of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. He was quoted by the Canadian Press. "It will give confidence to the (stock) market, I suppose."

Now, it's up to Bombardier to decide where the C-series jets, capable of carrying between 110 and 135 passengers, will be built.

It could be Montreal, but it could also be Toronto or Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The new contract calls for a 13.75-percent raise over the next five years. But it cuts overtime boosts opportunities for Bombardier to outsource work and penalizes worker absenteeism.

Bombardier management seemed to react favorably to the union gesture.

"It's an illustration of how serious our Montreal employees are in bringing the C-series final assembly to Montreal," said company spokesman John Paul Macdonald.

FMI: www.bombardier.com