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EDITORIAL: Time for mediation

The strike at Bombardier is starting to show a streak of nastiness. Workers, understandably, are worried about their futures.

The strike at Bombardier is starting to show a streak of nastiness.

Workers, understandably, are worried about their futures.

They’ve been off the job going on six weeks, with no end in sight as each side in the labour dispute has drawn a firm line in the negotiating sand.

Unifor Local 1075 representatives are adamant they won’t accept a defined contribution pension plan for new hires. The company contends it can’t afford to stick with the defined benefit plan that current workers have already in place.

Bombardier officials also want to cut benefits off at retirement, a sticky issue for striking workers who maintain they should keep their benefits when they walk away.

It’s clear, barring a last-minute negotiation miracle, that the two sides are not going to find common middle ground. The company says it’s made its final offer, which the union promptly rejected. The union says it too has made an offer, which the company has turned down.

With more than 1,400 jobs at stake, it’s time to end the dispute once and for all. The two sides should agree to bring a mediator in to solve the impasse and get workers back on the job.

Countless millions of dollars in income have been lost, and there is a real danger if a solution isn’t found, the plant could be closed for good.

Thunder Bay’s economy can’t afford the hit, nor can the workers and their families.





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