ITC Bombardier ruling ‘sweet relief’ for Northern Ireland economy says GMB

At last there is some good news for our Bombardier workers in Northern Ireland.

GMB, the union for Bombardier workers, has described today’s ruling by the ITC as a ‘sweet relief’ for the Northern Ireland economy.

The International Trade Commission (ITC) has overruled the punitive tariffs installed by US President Donald Trump’s administration after a complaint from multi-billion rival firm Boeing that it has engaged in anti-competitive practices over its new C series planes was upheld.

Bombardier was set faces an additional 80% penalty tariff — taking it from 220% to 300%.The tariff could have jeopardised up to 14,000 Northern Ireland workers across Bombardier and the supply chain.

Michael Mulholland, GMB Organiser, said:

“At last there is some good news for our Bombardier workers in Northern Ireland.

“These tariffs would have been nothing short of a disaster for the Northern Ireland economy

.”Hopefully this can now be an end to the stress and worry for our Bombardier members and they can concentrate on the job they’re paid to do.

“This whole Bombardier saga must act as a  warning to the UK Government about the kind of battles it faces to defend UK jobs and industries as we leave the EU and face the increasingly hostile territory of trade wars on our own.”