THUNDER BAY -- While their union representatives head into the conference room, striking workers at Bombardier are getting ready to send their kids back to the classroom.
Unifor 1075's hall saw a steady stream of students Tuesday as more than 100 backpacks were handed out before noon.
More than $5,000 worth of donated school supplies were handed out to students of all ages as an estimated 500 of the 900 Bombardiers workers have school-age children.
Binders, lunch boxes, paper, duo-tangs and everything else was on display.
"They're pretty excited," Unifor Local 229's Vicki Dolph, one of several people helping students get ready said.
"And very happy to get all this stuff. They have everything they need here."
The union believes as many as 500 of the 900 striking workers have families with school-aged children. That fact coupled with back-to-school expenses led other locals and unions to rally to raise more than $4,500 so far for school supplies.
Meanwhile at Victoria Inn talks between Unifor and Bombardier resumed along with a provincial mediator to try and resolve the strike, now in its eighth week.
Both sides have agreed to a media blackout amid these new talks.
