The Professional Engineers Government of Ontario (PEGO) union, representing senior government engineers in charge of managing and advising on key projects in Ontario, is threatening to escalate their job action, potentially impacting Premier Doug Ford’s transportation projects. The union has been without a contract for almost two years and after unsuccessful negotiations with the Ford government, they have initiated work to rule action and are planning to pull their members from work related to projects like Highway 413 and the Bradford Bypass. The union aims to ensure their strike is focused and responsible, but the move could disrupt the delivery of Ontario’s infrastructure commitments and management of existing operations.
Highway 413, a key project for the government, is currently at a crucial planning stage, with shovels expected to go into the ground early next year. However, strike action by PEGO members could derail this progress by disrupting final planning and preparation work required during the fall and winter. The union plans to extend this action to the Bradford Bypass and other priority projects if the standoff continues. They emphasize that safety is a top priority as they escalate their protest and believe that their actions are necessary to address the resourcing challenge within the Ontario Public Service to support the province’s infrastructure plans.
PEGO argues that the government’s offer during negotiations, which has remained unchanged, does not adequately address the needs of Ontario’s infrastructure development and maintenance agenda. They claim that treasury board negotiators are not aligned with Premier Ford’s infrastructure priorities, despite the government touting a $28-billion investment in highway building and infrastructure. The union asserts that low pay is also hindering the government’s ability to attract new engineering talent. PEGO’s request, which they believe is a small fraction of the province’s annual engineering spend, is not being entertained by the government, leading to frustration among union members.
The union’s recent escalation comes after a mediator-led bargaining session in mid-October that yielded no progress. PEGO president Nihar Bhatt expressed disappointment in the intransigence of treasury board negotiators and their proposal that he believes undermines Ontario’s infrastructure development and maintenance goals. The union’s decision to pull its members from projects deemed as provincial priorities by the government reflects their determination to address the challenges faced by engineers in the Ontario Public Service. Despite reaching out to treasury board officials for comment, Global News did not receive a response in time for publication.
The government maintains that its offer to PEGO is reasonable and highlights their efforts to negotiate a fair deal at the bargaining table since July 2023. However, the union’s claims that the government’s offer does not align with Ontario’s infrastructure priorities signal a deeper divide between the two parties. As the standoff continues, the potential impact on key projects like Highway 413 and the Bradford Bypass remains uncertain. The union’s commitment to safety and responsible strike actions underscores their determination to address the resourcing challenges within the Ontario Public Service and advocate for better terms for their members in the engineering sector.
