‘Real doom and gloom’: Thunder Bay’s Alstom plant prepares to shed 200+ jobs

What’s going on at Alstom’s Thunder Bay plant?

Alstom is preparing to eliminate more than 200 roles at its Thunder Bay facility in the coming months, as a major manufacturing contract for the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) nears completion.

• The first round of job cuts is set to begin May 9, according to Unifor Local 1075 President Justin Roberts.
• Workforce reductions will continue in staggered waves through the end of August, aligned with phased shutdowns across different shop-floor stations.
• Roughly 200 of the affected workers are Unifor members, while up to 230 total employees are expected to be impacted, the company confirmed.

Official statements and context

Alstom spokesperson: The company told TBnewswatch the job cuts are part of a restructuring effort to “adjust employment levels to reflect the current workload.”

Unifor Local 1075: After the workforce reduction, union membership at the plant could shrink to around 170-180 workers.

• The plant includes additional non-unionized employees, though their status was not confirmed.

Key contract backdrop: The job cuts coincide with the wind-down of the TTC LRV (light rail vehicle) project.

• Future employment at the plant may depend on whether Alstom secures a $2.2 billion contract to build 55 subway trains for the TTC’s Line 2.

Political and government response

Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria recently urged Toronto to consider sole-sourcing the Line 2 contract to Alstom, pledging provincial and potential federal support.

Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP Lise Vaugeois backed the push and criticized past decisions that allowed rail contracts to be outsourced outside Canada.

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Next steps for Alstom employees

If you’re fired or let go from Alstom, understanding your legal rights is crucial.

Non-unionized employees in Canada are entitled to severance pay. The amount you’re owed is based on a variety of factors, including your role, tenure, age, and ability to find similar work.

WATCH: Employment lawyer Lior Samfiru delves into severance pay on an episode of the Employment Law Show.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Compensation: Severance packages, which can be as much as 24 months’ pay, may include salary, bonuses, commissions, and other forms of compensation. Use our firm’s free Severance Pay Calculator to better understand your entitlements.
• Deadlines: You generally have up to two years from the date of your termination to review and negotiate severance offers.
• Action steps: Consult an employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP to ensure your severance package is fair and aligns with Canadian employment laws.

Major employers slashing staff

Reports of a looming workforce reduction at Alstom’s Thunder Bay plant comes amid a flurry of job cuts in 2025.

Big names, including Google, Microsoft, S&S Activewear, Siemens, HPE, Wayfair, MLSE, Disney, Autodesk, JPMorgan, Vale, Canada Post, Workday, ADM, Amazon, and Shopify, have scaled back their staffing levels as they navigate challenging economic conditions.

SEE ALSO
• Estée Lauder reportedly cut all Canadian staff in Hudson’s Bay stores
• Canada’s immigration department slashing workforce by 25%
• Where are layoffs happening in Canada?

Lost your job? Contact us

If you’ve been fired or let go from Alstom, Samfiru Tumarkin LLP’s experienced Thunder Bay employment lawyers can help.

Our lawyers in Ontario have helped tens of thousands of non-unionized individuals resolve their workplace issues.

Call us today at 1-855-821-5900 or request a consultation online.

Disclaimer: The materials above are provided as general information about the rights of non-unionized employees in Canada. It is not specific to any one company and SHOULD NOT be read as suggesting any improper conduct on the part of any specific employer, or a relationship between Samfiru Tumarkin LLP and a specific employer.