Public engineers, employed by the government, have decided to go on an open-ended work stoppage.
Updating the Current Spat: Quebec Government and Engineers' Union Faceoff
Starting 8 a.m. this Friday, a group of 2100 engineers, part of the Association professionnelle des ingénieurs du gouvernement du Québec (APIGQ), will launch an indefinite general strike. Initially, they had been carrying out strikes during evenings, nights, and weekends.
The majority of these engineers are employed within the Ministry of Transport, Environment, Municipal Affairs, and Cybersecurity, shaping diverse aspects of Quebec's infrastructure. As per Marc-André Martin, the association's president, this industrial action will significantly impact construction sites, causing delays or halts in various projects.
Martin disclosed, "The construction sector will face a slowdown, almost a standstill. New projects will be stalled, while active ones may need to halt temporarily, based on the engineers involved in specific projects." While ordinary citizens might appreciate fewer roadblocks this summer, the situation doesn't bode well for taxpayers, as infrastructure upkeep is crucial.
Crucial services will remain operational to keep the public safe. Between 200-300 engineers have been assigned to ensure essential services.
The Impasse
Currently, no fresh negotiation sessions are planned between the parties. According to Martin, the government has concluded that negotiations won't yield a settlement.
However, the Treasury Board's cabinet has refuted this claim, stating that the union has been reluctant to negotiate seriously. They accused the union of refusing to engage in a mediated negotiation process.
Both parties have lodged complaints of bad faith negotiations.
The Disputed Points
Despite the offer of a 17.4% salary hike over five years, matching increases for all state employees, the crux of the disagreement lies elsewhere.
"Of course, the 17.4% increase must be accompanied by organizational changes, most of which 98% of public and parapublic sector employees have accepted," the Treasury Board stated.
Martin accepts, with reservations, the proposed organizational changes suggested by Sonia LeBel, the President of the Treasury Board. However, he complains that the government insists on offering them fewer benefits than the 98% who have already agreed to terms. The union is urging for a sector-specific benefits package, following in the footsteps of teachers who have secured classroom aids.
In essence, the issue revolves around office layouts and workspaces for engineers. The union seeks to maintain acoustic partitions, personal workspaces, and designated areas for focused work and collaboration.
The Treasury Board remains optimistic about reaching a deal. "A resolution is possible, but only if both parties demonstrate a willingness to communicate and compromise."
- The indefinite general strike, starting at 8 a.m. this Friday, involves 2100 engineers from the APIGQ, who primarily work in the Ministry of Transport, Environment, Municipal Affairs, and Cybersecurity, impacting Quebec's infrastructure.
- The strike could cause delays or halts in various projects, according to Marc-André Martin, the association's president.
- While the strike may benefit ordinary citizens by reducing roadblocks this summer, it could negatively affect taxpayers due to infrastructure upkeep being crucial.
- Despite the government's offer of a 17.4% salary hike over five years, matching increases for all state employees, the main point of contention is office layouts and workspaces for engineers.
- The union is insisting on maintaining acoustic partitions, personal workspaces, and designated areas for focused work and collaboration.
- The Treasury Board has expressed optimism about reaching a deal, with both parties needing to demonstrate a willingness to communicate and compromise.
- The disagreement has escalated, with both parties lodging complaints of bad faith negotiations in the larger context of policy-and-legislation, politics, general news, business, and the energy, transportation, public-transit, and sports industries.
