Ontario engineers begin work-to-rule action, threatening to slow key highway projects [Video]

A group of senior government engineers tasked with managing and advising on key projects in Ontario have downed some of their tools in work-to-rule strike action, warning they can slow key Ford government infrastructure plans to a crawl if a deal isn’t reached.

On Tuesday morning, the Professional Engineers Government of Ontario union, which represents engineers who work on oversight and management of government projects and regulations, began its first strike action in 35 years.

The group’s members’ work includes the building code, fire codes, air quality rules, environmental requirements and managing major highway construction projects like bridges, lane expansions and brand new routes.

“What we do is fairly senior-level, specialized work,” Nihar Bhatt, president of the union representing roughly 600 people told Global News.

Among the most high-profile work his members conduct is overseeing Ontario’s entire 400-series highway network and advising on the provincial upload of the Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway, drinking water standards and …