Bombardier, Unifor reach tentative agreement on new contract

Negotiators for Unifor and Bombardier Transportation have reached a tentative agreement on a new collective agreement. Union members will vote on the deal on Friday Sept.12.

Local 1075 President Dominic Pasqualinosaid a ratification vote will be conducted at 8:30 a.m.(ET) at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium.

A union spokesperson told CBC News the leadership is not making a recommendation to the membership as to whether the proposed contract should be accepted or not.

The announcement of a tentative deal follows eight days of negotiations over two weeks. The parties took a break after four days of talks last week, then resumed bargaining this week.

Over 900 Unifor workers have been on strike since mid-July.

Proposed changes in the pension plan for newly-hired workers has beena key issue blocking an agreement.

Bombardier spokesperson Stephanie Ash issued a statement Thursday saying the company "hopes to see our valued employees return to work as quickly as possible."

The statement added "we believe this new agreement continues to provide for well-paid jobs in Thunder Bay and meets the needs of the company going forward."

Details of the contract will be withheld until ratification.