Front-line workers at the Ministry of Transportation say there will be no MTO Traffic Enforcement Officers (TEOs) on the road Labour Day and key scales will be closed. Weigh scales are supposed to operate 24-7, but are often closed on long weekends to save on overtime.
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union, representing the TEOs, says the McGuinty Liberals’ plan to save money by reducing enforcement on the long weekend is shortsighted. “That kind of attitude lasts just until flying truck parts kill someone on the highway,” said OPSEU President Leah Casselman.
The TEOs also object to a quota system that they say forces them to waste valuable time. “Our enforcement officers are demoralized because of the quota system,” Casselman said. “Instead of spending time on known violators they are forced to check trucks they know are in good order, again and again, just to meet their quotas.”
OPSEU says the Liberals must stop following discredited Harris/Eves policies of cutting and contracting out services at MTO. Union members met with Harinder Takhar, Minister of Transportation in May with suggestions for a new political direction including improved enforcement. OPSEU asked Takhar to:
- Scrap the quota system for vehicle enforcement and allow officers to use their judgment.
- Enforce roads and weigh scales at all times, including long weekends.
- Enforce roads other than 400 series highways so vehicles cannot dodge highway scales. (ie. Highway 2 near London)
- Conduct a comprehensive review of contracting out in cases where public employees could do the work.
- Stop retired MTO “consultants” from doing the work of bargaining unit members.
- Review the outsourcing of driver examinations to SERCO.
- Review the Tory download of provincial highways.
“The Liberals promised to consult with public employees on cost-savings they can find within government. Yet the Minister only listens to senior managers at MTO and ignores advice from his front-line workers,” Casselman said.
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For further information:
John O’Brien, OPSEU Executive Board cell 807-628-4364, home 807-628-8066
