Engineers' strike suspends work at 6 Montreal construction sites
Union members are responsible for supervision, quality control for all city construction work
A number of Montreal's construction projects will be suspended or postponed due to a strike by more than 400 city employees.
The strike, which began Tuesday at midnight, affects about 440 engineers, chemists, veterinarians and other science professionals who are part of the Syndicat Professionnel des Scientifiques à Pratique Exclusive de la Ville (SPSPEM).
Of the 55 sites that deal with transportation infrastructure, 26 will stay in operation while others will be suspended or postponed.
Six of the city's major work sites will be suspended. For a map, click here.
The union members picketed on St-Denis Street Tuesday morning and eventually assembled at Montreal's city hall, where they held a rally.
Engineer Étienne Devost says Montreal pays less than other cities; says work of engineers undervalued <a href="https://t.co/PprBv3GaHK">pic.twitter.com/PprBv3GaHK</a>
—@SteverukavinaThe workers are responsible for supervision and quality control for all city construction work, including paving and replacement of sewer pipes.
The veterinarians look after animals at the Montreal Biodôme, and the chemists test drinking water and are involved with wastewater treatment for the city.
Engineer Étienne Devau said he and his colleagues are paid less than their private sector counterparts and also less than fellow engineers who work for other municipalities.
"What we're trying to do here is change the public's view of what an engineer for the city actually is.… We don't have conditions that are better than elsewhere. We're actually underpaid," he said.
Their last contract with the city expired in 2010.
Salary, concessions among the issues
The union says the city's proposal, which amounts to a nine per cent decrease in salary annually and $12 million in concessions, is "unreasonable." They have turned down the offer.
"We apologize to the Montreal population for any inconvenience that this may cause, but the [Coderre] administration leaves us no choice," said union vice-president and chemist Gisella Gesuale.
As far as union demonstrations go this one is pretty tame <a href="https://t.co/mjOcZ8rfGM">pic.twitter.com/mjOcZ8rfGM</a>
—@SteverukavinaThe city says despite trying to promote reconciliation between the two sides, the union wouldn't budge.
Mayor Denis Coderre said the city was in "solution-mode" but could only negotiate to a certain point.
"We respect our employees but we also respect Montrealers' ability to pay," he told reporters at city hall.
Pierre Desrochers, the chair of Montreal's executive committee, acknowledged the city's traffic situation is "difficult" but said he doesn't believe it will worsen due to the suspended work sites.
The strike will not affect essential services.