Bombardier, Unifor take a break from contract negotiations

The union representing over 900 striking workers at the Bombardier Transportation plant in Thunder Bay announced Friday night that the two parties have failed to resolve their differences over a new collective agreement.

As a result, Unifor spokesperson Bob Orr said, they are "taking a break" from talks that lasted four days with the aid of a provincial government mediator.

Negotiations "have not broken off ... we have just mutually decided to take a break," Orr said.

"There has been a lot of work done, it just doesn't look like a deal is possible, so rather than heighten the tension or the frustrations at the table we have just decided to take a break. We will be in touch with each other and hopefully get back soon."

The strike began in mid-July with a key issue in dispute being proposed changes to the pension plan for newly-hired workers.

Orr told reporters that there were points during the week of negotiations that progress was made, but it was later "undone."

He said "the goal posts continue to move,"adding thatthere are a number of different levels of Bombardier management involved, and there are different responses depending on who the union is talking to.

"It's almost as if they are not on the same team," he said.

Orr said the parties will see "when the timing is right" again, but there must be a will to get an agreement.

He refused to specify what issues are holding up a deal.

In a brief statement to CBC News,Bombardier Transportation spokesperson Stephanie Ash said only that the two parties had mutually decided that "it was a good time" to take a break from the negotiating process.