Ontario engineers plan to remove members from Highway 413, Bradford Bypass projects

The union representing senior government engineers charged with managing and advising on key projects in Ontario is threatening to escalate their work activities, potentially throwing another wrench in Premier Doug Ford’s signature transportation projects.

The Professional Engineers Government of Ontario union, which represents engineers who work to oversee and manage government projects and regulations, says they plan to withdraw their members from work related to Highway 413 and the Bradford Bypass, two major government projects.

“While this labor dispute will impact the implementation of Ontario’s key infrastructure obligations and the management of existing infrastructure and operations, PEGO is ensuring its strike is both targeted and responsible,” the union said in a statement.

The union recently began taking action after almost two years without a contract. A subsequent negotiation with the Ford government on October 18 produced no progress, according to the union, leading to an escalation.

The final step means removing members from projects the government has deemed a provincial priority. The engineers generally work in project management and contract consulting roles, with oversight of how quickly the projects can progress.

Receive national news daily

Receive the day’s top news, political, economic and current affairs features, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Highway 413 in particular is at an important point in the planning, with the government hoping to break ground early next year. To do that, final planning and preparation work must take place in the fall and winter.

According to the union, strike action could derail that work. Similar action is planned for the Bradford Bypass, leaders told Global News, and other priority projects could also be in the line of fire if the standoff continues.

The union said it was working to remain “responsible” in how it escalated its protest, with safety in mind.

PEGO says its engineers have been without a contract for more than a year and that a recent negotiating session led by a mediator in mid-October led to a “frustrating” outcome.

“TBS representatives presented a substantially unchanged offer that does not address the challenge of funding within the OPS (Ontario Public Service) to support Ontario’s infrastructure plans,” the union said in a statement.

“The intransigence of Treasury Board negotiators remains frustrating and inexplicable to our members,” said PEGO President Nihar Bhatt. “The latest proposal runs directly counter to the needs of Ontario’s infrastructure development and maintenance agenda.”

Global News reached out to Treasury Department officials for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.

In an earlier statement, the government said its offer was reasonable.

“Since July 2023, the government has held numerous negotiating sessions with the Professional Engineers Government of Ontario (PEGO) negotiating team in an effort to reach a fair deal at the negotiating table,” a spokesperson previously said.

The union has accused Treasury Department negotiators of making decisions that conflict with the Ford government’s $28 billion highway construction and infrastructure plan. They say Prime Minister Ford and his Cabinet appear aligned on prioritizing infrastructure, but claim negotiators are undercutting it.

“The latest proposal runs directly counter to the needs of Ontario’s infrastructure development and maintenance agenda,” Bhatt said. “Without the right investments in Ontario’s vital engineering and surveying functions, this government’s key infrastructure priorities cannot be delivered on a cost-effective and timely basis.”

Low wages also make it more difficult for the government to attract new members, according to PEGO.

The union claims its request, which the government appears unhappy with, is a “very small portion” of the province’s annual tech spending.

&copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.