Workers relieved

Striking workers at Bombardier are glad they could have a chance to go back to work Monday.

The company and the Canadian Auto Workers Local 1075, which represents the more than 700 people at the plant, reached a tentative deal Wednesday night.

Despite a deal being reached, the details of the tentative agreement have still not been made public. CAW Local 1075 president Dominic Pasqualino said he can’t speak to specifics until after his members have voted, which could be as early as Saturday.

"Hopefully this deal bodes well with our members," Pasqualino said Thursday.
Until that vote, workers remain on the picket line.

Denis Lalonde, a 16 year veteran with the company, said he and other employees who are not members of the bargaining unit are also in the dark for now.

"I’m kind of surprised it ended this quickly," Lalonde said under scattered showers outside of the Bombardier plant Thursday morning. "Now that it’s almost over I’m glad."

Although he doesn’t know the details, Lalonde said tentative agreements are usually passed.

"Because the union’s happy with it, usually everyone else is and then hopefully we’ll get back to our normal lives," he said.

Kelly Simpson has been at Bombardier for more than four years. Echoing Lalonde’s feelings, Simpson said he’s glad it looks like the strike, which started 4 p.m. Tuesday, will be over soon.

He also told media that, despite not knowing the specifics of the agreement, he’ll probably vote in favour of the deal.

"I don’t want to be off work. I don’t think anybody does," Simpson said.

If his members do ratify the agreement, Pasqualino said people would probably be heading back to Bombardier for their regular shift Monday morning. If not, the strike would have to continue.

"We’ll slug it out until we can go ahead and reach another agreement.”