Aircraft

Bombardier within a week is expected to decide whether to select its Mirabel, Quebec plant for final assembly of the CSeries or farm out the work to the only other candidate now under consideration – Kansas City in the US state of Missouri.

Montreal-area machinists at Bombardier yesterday voted in favour of a labour contract agreement that is contingent on the airframer selecting their region for final assembly of the proposed 110/130-seat aircraft.

The six-year deal, which replaces a three-year pact that expires in November, includes yearly raises as well as a concession that permits Bombardier to employ up to 15% of its workforce on a contractual basis.

This allows the company to weather market fluctuations, explains a Bombardier spokesman. "When the market is lower, we can adjust and when the market is stronger, we can adapt."

He says yesterday’s positive vote from the machinists "is definitely a favourable point in the Mirabel candidacy".

Also vying for the work is Missouri, which has approved a $240 million tax credit programme that it hopes will persuade the manufacturer to build a $395 million CSeries assembly plant at Kansas City International Airport.

The Bombardier spokesman confirms that Mirabel and Kansas City are now the only two sites under consideration for final assembly of the CSeries. Much is at stake for both cities as the work is expected to create up to 2,500 jobs. A decision is due by 15 July.