Mirabel's Airbus employees vote down the latest contract, citing pay concerns amid ongoing negotiations
Unionized workers at the Airbus assembly facility in Mirabel, Quebec, have decisively turned down the company's second contract proposal, as reported by BNN Bloomberg.
The rejection came through a vote conducted on Sunday, marking a continued standoff between the employees and the management.
Airbus, in a statement, acknowledged the ongoing negotiations with the representatives of the Airbus A220 employees, which resumed after the initial contract offer was rejected three weeks prior.
The company characterized the discussions as “open and constructive,” leading to the presentation of a “new improved” offer to the members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers on March 29.
Despite these efforts, Airbus conceded that a significant disparity remains between the union's demands and the financial capabilities of the A220 program, which has yet to achieve profitability.
The company expressed its dedication to finding a middle ground that aligns the interests of its employees with the economic necessities of the A220.
According to the statement, Airbus's negotiating team is prepared to return to the bargaining table as soon as Monday to continue the discussions.
The union had previously issued a statement following the initial vote in March, revealing that it represents 1,300 of the 3,000 workers at the Mirabel facility.
This statement highlighted the overwhelming opposition to the initial contract offer, with 99.6 percent of members voting against it and 98.9 percent endorsing strike action.
The primary concern for the members, as voiced by spokesperson Eric Rancour, was that the proposed wage increases did not meet the rising rate of inflation, signaling a critical point of contention in the negotiations.
