Four welder-fitters, accompanied by the union president, a foreman, and a director, will take part in the one-month trip. “Our delegation will work for one month with the teams at Helsinki Shipyard with a view to knowledge transfer,” explains Jessy Piché, the union president. “Between 60 and 70 workers will have the chance to participate in this program by 2027.”
It should be noted that Davie purchased Helsinki Shipyard Oy (HSO) in November 2023 and signed a contract with the Government of Canada to build a polar icebreaker. “This ship will be built partly in Canada, at Chantier Davie, and partly in Finland, at Helsinki Shipyard,” says Jessy Piché. “In this context, it’s important to be able to go there and see firsthand how the Finnish teams work and to exchange with them.”
The knowledge-transfer program negotiated between the union and the employer provides that all workers’ expenses will be paid and that a 15% premium will be added to wages. “This is one of the most generous agreements in the industry, if not the most generous,” says Kevin Gagnon, president of the Fédération de l’industrie manufacturière (FIM–CSN), which negotiates several agreements of this kind—for example, Alstom’s exchange program with Brazil in La Pocatière.
“Let’s be honest: this is a very great opportunity being offered to Davie’s unionized workers,” continues Barbara Poirier, president of the Conseil central de Québec–Chaudière-Appalaches (CSN). “It’s a big win by the union and the CSN that deserves to be highlighted.” The union leader does not hide her pride at seeing Lévis expertise and know-how exported internationally. “We’re already the best shipyard in North America—just imagine after this!” the central council president concludes.
