Ontario public service engineers have started withdrawing labour for one of the PC government’s flagship projects amid stalled negotiations.
The union representing professional engineers and land surveyors has confirmed that work stoppage began on the Bradford Bypass on Monday. The labour withdrawal will last “as long as needed,” The Trillium has learned.
This will impact several important project milestones coming up in the next few weeks, the union said, as well as impact longer-term planning for the next construction season.
Among the issues being negotiated are wages and investments in professional development.
According to Nihar Bhatt, president of the Professional Engineers Government of Ontario (PEGO), his members are among the lowest paid within the profession in the province, and could earn 30 to 50 per cent more in the private sector.
Members are also required by law to undergo professional development, but Bhatt says significant commitments to it haven't been made by the government.
“Without proper investment in Ontario’s vital engineering and surveying functions, this government’s key infrastructure priorities cannot be met on a cost-effective and timely basis,” he said last week as members took part in work-to-rule action, refusing to do additional labour past what they were hired for.
It’s the job of PEGO workers to oversee contracted infrastructure work, as well as help in the safe design and planning of a project. Bhatt adds that it’s also their job to ensure construction is cost-effective and compliant with provincial standards.
The labour withdrawal is targeted specifically to the Bradford Bypass for now, the union says, but if movement isn’t made in the negotiations, they may escalate to other projects. The Progressive Conservative government's Highway 413 project is among the list of other projects that could be affected by the job action, which began earlier this month.
The news comes as Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria announced The Miller Group has been awarded a contract to “oversee the design, quality control, safety and delivery of the west section of the Bradford Bypass expressway.”
At a press conference on Monday, the minister touted recently tabled legislation that would expedite construction of “priority highway projects” like the Highway 413, Bradford Bypass, and Garden City Skyway Bridge Twinning Project.
PEGO wonders how this will be done if there are constantly staffing issues and workers are unable to keep up with the projects the province is currently undergoing.
In a statement, Sarkaria said the government is "looking at mitigation measures."
"But let me be clear. We're moving full speed ahead," he said in a statement to The Trillium. "This project is too important not to build and we are moving ahead without delay."
Collective bargaining negotiations between the union and provincial government have been ongoing since July 2023.
Note: This article has been updated since publication to include Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria's response.
