TORONTO - Workers at Bombardier de Havilland in Toronto may be out on the picket line as early as this morning at 10 a.m.

Negotiations between the two sides have been ongoing for the last two months, with the possibility of reaching an agreement before the deadline seeming increasingly unlikely.

"Bombardier is trying to walk away from their long term obligation for retiree benefits, leaving past and current workers vulnerable once they retire," said Jerry Dias, assistant to CAW national president. "We are determined to ensure that these post-retirement benefits remain intact as they were promised."

Bombardier is also trying to erode full-time permanent employment through the hiring of up to 20 per cent temporary workers, said Dias. These workers would not be protected by the collective agreement and could be hired or fired as the company saw fit, which is unacceptable. Negotiations will continue around the clock until the strike deadline of tomorrow at 10 a.m.

CAW Local 112 and 673 represents approximately 2,750 production, skilled trades and office workers at the Downsview facility.