Bombardier is beginning to recall nearly 11,000 workers in Canada who were furloughed following government mandates aimed at slowing the spread of Covid-19, the airframer announced today. Its manufacturing and service activities that were suspended in Canada will slowly resume by May 11.
“As we resume operations across many of our sites, the health and safety of our employees, our customers, and the general population will continue to be our top priority,” said Bombardier president and CEO Eric Martel. “I deeply believe that by continuing to work in close collaboration with the employee representatives and public health authorities in all the countries where we operate, Bombardier will establish itself as an example of a dynamic and responsible industrial leader in the global recovery.”
Employees in Bombardier’s aviation and train units, as well as the corporate office, will see return-to-work schedules vary by site and be subject to new procedures to ensure their health and safety, the company said. Some recalled employees who can perform their duties off site will be asked to continue working from home, Bombardier added.
Bombardier has applied to tap into the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program, which will be available to its eligible employees in Canada. “Our industries are among the most affected by the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic,” Martel explained. “And I want to thank the federal government for putting this bold initiative in place to support Canadian workers and companies. I also want to thank the union leaders for their collaboration and support during these difficult times.”
On March 24, Bombardier announced it was temporarily suspending production in its Quebec and Ontario provinces through April 26.