The engineers say it was the government that said the safety of the bridges are in peril.
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QUEBEC — The Quebec government has denied allegations from striking government engineers that the safety of the Pierre-Laporte and Quebec bridges, which connect Quebec City to Lévis, are compromised.
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On strike since the end of April, the engineers based their warnings on sworn statements from the transport ministry filed as part of the labor conflict.
Speaking to journalists after a cabinet meeting Wednesday afternoon, Transport Minister François Bonnardel said it was irresponsible to suggest that the bridges are in danger, and that they are perfectly safe.
In April, in a statement under oath before the Tribunal administratif du travail, a general manager from the transport ministry said work on the Pierre-Laporte Bridge’s vertical hangers has to be done quickly to replace them, “otherwise the integrity of the bridge” is compromised.
Repairs to the metal frame of the Quebec Bridge also must be done “urgently” because they put “the safety of the bridge structure” in jeopardy.
The statement was filed to demand the continuation of essential services by government engineers.
The engineers are demanding a salary increase of 14.7 per cent and other “economic improvements” to reduce a pay gap with similar jobs in the private sector and municipalities.