Bombardier Workers Vote To Strike

Bob Wood told The Associated Press that union members voted 79% in favor of rejecting the proposed 5-year contract and also 79% in favor of a strike. He said the Wichita workers will start walking the picket line.

"Nearly 80% is a very strong rejection," Wood says. "That certainly sends a message to the company. This is a healthy company and there's no reason for them to try to increase profit by taking it out of the members' pockets."

Bombardier Business Aircraft spokeswoman Danielle Boudreau says the company, which has its headquarters in Montreal, believed the offer was "fair and reasonable" and is disappointed workers didn't accept it and voted to strike.

"We believe that our proposal for employees ensured the long-term success and potential of Learjet" while also taking care of workers, she said.

The proposed contract offered no raises the first year and a 1% raise for each subsequent year. It would have retained pension plans but increased the cost of health care.

Wood has said health insurance is a main sticking point and that the union believes the proposed contract was too long. He said workers would benefit instead from a three-year agreement, because they can reassess market conditions then.

Company negotiators have noted the business jet market continues to weaken.

The machinists union represents 825 hourly workers in Wichita. Wood said 95% of the membership turned out for the vote.

"We certainly don't believe that a contract from a very profitable company that's full of take-aways and insurance that's insulting to the workers is a fair and equitable contract," Wood says. "They can say that all they want, but obviously the people who work for them felt differently."

Boudreau says, "Bombardier Learjet is willing to continue negotiations with the expectation that we will be able to reach a resolution on our outstanding issues."

The union went on strike for three weeks in 2006, the first in the Wichita plant's history. The current expiring contract was approved in 2009 amid the nation's economic downturn.