BRAMPTON, ON, May 16, 2024
/CNW/ - Workers and community supporters rallied today at
the MDA Space headquarters in Brampton, Ontario where workers have been on
strike for the past five weeks, fighting for a fair contract.
"While MDA Space is busy bragging about the company doubling its
revenues over the past few years, workers have been on the picket
line for more than month fighting for a fair contract," said Unifor
National President Lana Payne. "This
rally is about making it clear why MDA Space is successful—because
of its highly skilled and dedicated workers and the generous regime
of subsidies and contracts funded by public dollars that help
create good Canadian aerospace jobs."
Approximately 50 Unifor members of Local 112 and 673 have been
on strike since April 8 for a fair
wage increase, a long overdue increase in the company's
contribution to workers' pension plan, and protection from the
ongoing cost of living crisis.
The company's strong financial position was outlined in a
May 10 blog post by MDA Space CEO
Mike Greenley, who boasted about the
company doubling its revenues from $400
million to $800 million. MDA
Space was recently awarded contracts for the Canada Space Agency,
including $250 million to support
robotics operations on the International Space Station and
$269 million for the next phase of
Canadarm3. MDA Space has a current order backlog worth more than
$3 billion. The company's global
headquarters is the site of the labour dispute and was recently
built with a $25 million grant
provided by the Ontario
government.
"Aerospace jobs must be good jobs. To be perfectly clear, MDA
Space is profitable and more than capable of settling this dispute
with 50 of its most hard-working and devoted workers," added Payne.
"Prolonging this dispute not only threatens the important space
projects our members are part of, but it will also undoubtedly
blemish Canada's reputation as a
global leader in aerospace research and technology."
In a letter to federal Minister of Innovation, Science and
Industry, François-Philippe
Champagne, Unifor outlined its concerns with the ongoing
dispute.
Unifor is Canada's largest
union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers across
various industries. The union advocates for the rights of all
working people, fights for equality and social justice, and strives
to create a better future for all Canadians.
SOURCE Unifor