Media Advisory - Workers who build TTC vehicles in Thunder Bay to present at TTC board meeting

TORONTO, Aug. 19, 2014 /CNW/ - Striking Bombardier workers from Thunder Bay are set to address today's TTC board meeting to urge the commission not to accept vehicles assembled by replacement workers.

"We take great pride in our work. It is our attention to detail that ensures that every bolt and weld is perfect which, in turn, enhances the safety of the vehicle for the operators and more than 500 million customers journeys each year," said Dominic Pasqualino, president of Unifor local 1075 in advance of the meeting.

"The pride we take in our work is also what ensures the smooth and reliable ride you promise to your riders as part of the fleet modernization," added Pasqualino.

More than 900 workers at Bombardier's Thunder Bay facility, members of Unifor local 1075, have been on strike since July 14. They are striking to protect pensions and retiree benefits as well as good jobs that were created here in Ontario by public investment in transit projects.

The workers are responsible for building the Toronto Rocket subway cars, bi-level coaches for GO Transit, as well as the new TTC streetcars that are scheduled to be released on August 31.

What: Deputation to the TTC board and media availability

When: Tuesday, August 19, 1pm and after the adjournment of the meeting

Where: Committee Room #2, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West

Who: Striking Bombardier employees and Bob Orr, Assistant to the National President responsible for Transportation

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 across the country.

SOURCE: Unifor

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