Bombardier fighting to ramp up production amid TTC lawsuit pressure

THUNDER BAY -- Bombardier says it's doing everything it can to ramp up streetcar production in the wake of a unanimous decision by the Toronto Transit Commission to take legal action against the company.

Spokesman Marc-Andre Lefebvre says the company has had quality manufacturing problems in Thunder Bay, Mexico and other suppliers but Bombardier will deliver all 204 cars to Toronto by 2019.

But specifics will be worked out with the TTC.

"We intend to discuss this strictly with our customer so we won't comment nor speculate on the potential impacts this may have on our operations in Ontario," he said.

On Wednesday the board unanimously decided to go ahead with a $50 million lawsuit against the company over delays in its ability to deliver new streetcars, built in Thunder Bay, to Toronto.

Unifor Local 1075 president Dominic Pasqualino said there is a silver lining in that the TCC decided not to stop the company from bidding on future contracts. He can't comment on the legal action but workers are relieved that there is still an opportunity for more contracts in the future.

"That would have been devastating for the plant," he said.

Pasqualino said the local plant has added another shift and put experienced people in place on the line to get the streetcars built as quickly as possible. There's also a new  general manager who is more receptive to ideas form employees on how to streamline the process.

"We have a determined bunch of people here to make sure that the cars get done," he said.

" We're looking forward to the management and union working together to get the product out."

Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce president Charla Robinson said Bombardier is a huge contributor to the local economy with thousands of direct and indirect jobs in the city.

"It's good news for Thunder Bay," she said of the TTC's decision to not bar the company from future contracts.