Media Advisory - Over 400 Cascade Aerospace workers set to begin job action tomorrow morning

ABBOTSFORD, BC, June 3, 2014 /CNW/ - More than 400 skilled workers at Cascade Aerospace are set to begin legal strike action at 11 a.m on Wednesday, June 4.

"We have been at the bargaining table for months, with the goal of finding a deal that is fair for all parties, but we have no intention of accepting concessions from a company as profitable as Cascade," said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor's BC area director.

"If we feel we have no option, we will proceed with legal job action, though we are concerned that other workers are going to be rushed in to perform work normally done by our skilled engineers and technicians," added McGarrigle.

Cascade Aerospace, owned by the Halifax-based IMP group, is the primary DND contractor for repair and overhaul on the DND Hercules heavy transport plane fleet covering the Lockheed Martin C130 E, H and the new J models.  The Unifor workers also help the firm repair commercial aircraft for firms such as CanJet and Lynden Air Cargo and are currently working on two Lockheed Martin C130 cargo planes for the Mexican government.

Cascade is the second-largest employer in the Abbotsford community.

What:    Photo opportunity and media availability as workers establish picket line

When:  Wednesday, June 4, 11 a.m.

Where: Cascade Aerospace facility, 1337 Townline Road, Abbotsford, BC

Unifor was founded Labour Day weekend 2013 when the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers unions merged. Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, with more than 305 000 members including over 10 000 working in the Aerospace industry.

SOURCE: Unifor

please contact Unifor Communications Representative Katie Arnup at 416-333-8097 (cell) or [email protected]