Unifor, Canada’s largest union in the private sector, representing more than 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy, is calling on the federal government to push back against crippling tariffs and protect its right to invest to support Canadian industries. It will continue to work with Unite, the union representing Bombardier workers in Northern Ireland, on a shared strategy to protect good paying aviation jobs.
The U.S. Commerce Department ruling to uphold the majority of the almost 300 percent duty on Bombardier’s C-Series planes is unjust and illustrates why America cannot be allowed to judge its own measures in international trade disputes.
“It’s incredibly disappointing that the U.S. Commerce Department has decided to maintain punitive and unreasonable tariffs which hurt the entire aerospace sector,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “This is why it is so important to protect the ability to engage in industrial policy, and provisions for independent dispute mechanisms, in any free trade agreements.”
Today’s ruling maintained a preliminary anti-dumping duty while slightly lowering the massive preliminary countervailing duty, reducing the overall duties on the C-Series from 299.45 percent to 292.21 percent. The tariffs were initiated in response to a complaint by Boeing regarding government subsidies received by Bombardier by the federal and Quebec governments.
“The reality is that governments both here and in the States have a role to play in supporting a viable aerospace industry,” said Renaud Gagné, Unifor Quebec Director. “The U.S. decision to impose these duties is an overreaction from a government committed to protectionist policies, an overreaction that will put American jobs at risk as well.”
The final decision on the Bombardier tariffs now rests with the U.S. International Trade Commission, which is expected to decide in February whether Boeing was harmed by the C Series.
Bombardier is one of Canada’s largest employers with more than 24,000 workers across Canada, with an estimated 40,000 spin-off jobs at its suppliers. Unifor advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.
