Bombardier to recall 11,000 employees over the "next few weeks"

After the Quebec government announced its plans to gradually reopen its economy, Bombardier says it has begun the process of recalling “most” of its Canadian based employees who were placed on furlough.

“Suspended manufacturing and service activities will gradually resume as of May 11,” a company news release said.

Nearly 11,000 employees are expected to be back to work within “the next few weeks” across the company’s aviation and transportation sectors. Return-to-work schedules will vary by site and staff will be subject to new procedures to ensure employee health and safety, the company said.

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Company management will be communicating specific plans and dates moving forward directly to employees. All recalled employees whose physical presence is not required at the company’s service sites will be asked to work from home “until further notice.”

“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 Éric Martel, president and chief executive officer of Bombardier Inc. “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.”

The company also said it will use the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) program for the benefit of its eligible employees.

Headquartered in Montreal, Bombardier has production and engineering sites in over 25 countries through its aviation and transportation sectors.