IAM outraged over C-Series countervailing decision

TORONTO, Sept. 27, 2017 /CNW/ - The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers – IAM – is outraged at yesterday's decision to impose a 220% countervailing duty on Bombardier C-Series aircraft. "This is an absolutely wrong-headed and protectionist decision by the U.S. Department of Commerce," said IAM Canadian General Vice President Stan Pickthall.

"The Boeing Corporation launched this action earlier this year over a contract that they did not bid on, in a market where they do not even compete. This is about a giant corporation seeking to eliminate competitors and build a monopoly in the aerospace industry."

The IAM's Quebec Coordinator David Chartrand, speaking on behalf of their members employed by Bombardier, likewise denounced the judgement: "The U.S. Department of Commerce sends a clear message that it has no consideration for the 7,000 workers of Bombardier, or for the 22,000 U.S. workers who build components for the aircraft."

In a move that has been denounced by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as well as the UK's Theresa May, the Boeing Corporation completely disregards the international impact of its actions. May recently appealed to the Trump administration to wade into this discussion, but to no avail.

"The Trump Republicans likewise have shown complete disregard for its own citizens in 17 U.S. States who work on C-Series components," said Chartrand.

Although this is a preliminary ruling, it sends a ripple throughout the industry that is damaging to Bombardier, one that Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland says is "clearly aimed at eliminating Bombardier's C-Series aircraft from the U.S. Market."

"Boeing's actions are predatory and selfish," stated Pickthall. "This is about protecting their territory in monopolistic fashion. It's about Boeing's fears of competition from a superior product designed, engineered and built in Canada."

Pickthall concluded that his members across Canada look forward to the next phase of this process, expecting a better conclusion from the US International Trade Commission, whose ruling is expected in the Spring of 2018.

SOURCE International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers

Stan Pickthall - IAM Canadian General Vice President, 416-386-1789; Dave Chartrand - IAM Quebec Coordinator, 514-956-1578/514-231-9100, Bill Trbovich - IAM Director of Communications, 416-386-1789 Ext #31/416-735-9765

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http://www.iamaw.ca