(Repentigny) The Bitume Québec association believes that if the approximately 1,800 engineers employed by the Québec government were to call the general strike they announced for this Friday, it would be a real disaster for the industry it represents. and users of the road network.
Posted at 10:42
The organization that brings together bitumen suppliers and bituminous mix producers invites the Professional Association of Government Engineers of Quebec (APIGQ) and the Treasury Board to show good faith by taking into account the balance between private interests and the public interest.
The president of Bitume Québec, Tytus Zurawski, affirms that the work stoppage could only jeopardize the recovery of the maintenance deficit which the Québec road network has suffered for a long time, even if major road investments have been made over the past few years. last years.
Zurawski adds that a strike could also cause irreparable collateral damage to contractors already facing labor challenges, rising transportation costs and raw resource prices, and slowdowns in the chain. supply of parts and equipment.
The roadwork season is already too short and cannot tolerate impacts attributable to labor relations, according to Bitume Québec.
The Professional Association of Government Engineers of Quebec estimates that engineers who practice civil engineering in the government are less well paid than professionals in their discipline in the private sector, but also compared to other civil engineers in the public sector and cities. The union says this is detrimental to the retention of expertise.