Unifor workers strike at Bombardier Thunder Bay

Trades workers and assembly line workers at Thunder Bay's Bombardier plant are now on strike.

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Just after 2 p.m. on Monday afternoon, Uniforofficially confirmed the walkout. CBC Thunder Bay reporter Jeff Walters said employees were starting to leave the plant.

The workers went on strike at thelight rail plant after failing to reach an agreement with management.

Unifor national president Jerry Dias said there was "no meaningful discussion" leading up to the 2 p.m. ET strike deadline today.

Dias saidmorning meetings with Bombardier related to protocol in case of a dispute, and didn't focus on contract negotiations for the roughly 900employees.

Bombardier wants to make changes to pensions and benefits that are unacceptable to the employees and are similar to demands that caused a brief strike in 2011, he added.

A Bombardier spokesman said the company is "deeply disappointed" the employees are on strike.

The company is focused on minimizing the potential impact of the labour disruption on its customers, he added.