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

Ontario Engineers Threaten Escalation, Jeopardizing Key Infrastructure Projects

The union representing senior government engineers responsible for managing major Ontario projects is threatening to escalate its job action, potentially disrupting two of Premier Doug Ford’s high-profile transportation projects: Highway 413 and the Bradford Bypass.

The Professional Engineers Government of Ontario (PEGO), which represents engineers involved in overseeing and managing government projects and regulations, announced plans to withdraw its members from work on these two key initiatives.

“While this labour dispute will impact the delivery of Ontario’s key infrastructure commitments and the management of existing infrastructure and operations, PEGO is ensuring its strike is both tightly focused and responsible,” the union said in a statement.

The engineers recently began a work-to-rule action after nearly two years without a contract. Following unsuccessful negotiations with the Ford government on October 18, the union decided to escalate its efforts.

By pulling engineers from these priority projects, the union aims to exert pressure on the government. Engineers involved in these projects play critical roles in project management, consulting, and ensuring smooth progress.

Highway 413, in particular, is at a crucial planning stage, with the government aiming to begin construction early next year. However, PEGO warns that strike action could derail the necessary planning and preparation set to take place over the fall and winter. The Bradford Bypass faces similar disruptions, and the union hinted that other priority projects could also be affected if negotiations remain stalled.

PEGO emphasized that its actions would be “responsible” and focused on maintaining safety despite the disruptions.

The union stated its frustration with the bargaining process, noting that engineers have been without a contract for over a year. A mediator-led negotiation in mid-October failed to produce progress, leaving the union dissatisfied with the government’s offer.

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

PEGO president Nihar Bhatt criticized the Treasury Board’s handling of the negotiations. “The intransigence of Treasury Board negotiators continues to be frustrating and inexplicable to our members,” Bhatt said. “Its latest proposal runs directly counter to the needs of Ontario’s infrastructure development and maintenance agenda.”

The union claims the current offer undermines Premier Ford’s $28-billion infrastructure plan. While the government has prioritized building new highways, PEGO argues that negotiators are undercutting these efforts by failing to address key concerns, including staffing shortages.

Bhatt warned that without adequate investment in engineering and surveying, the government’s infrastructure goals cannot be achieved efficiently or cost-effectively.

Low wages, according to PEGO, have also made it difficult for the government to attract new engineers. The union maintains that its financial request represents only a “very small fraction” of the province’s total engineering budget.

In response to a previous inquiry, the government described its offer as reasonable.

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

Global News reached out to Treasury Board officials for comment but had not received a response at the time of publication.