Front-line workers at the Ministry of Transportation say they can’t check on repeat offenders because the Ministry’s quota system for vehicle enforcement wastes their valuable time checking trucks that are in good shape.
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union, representing Transportation Enforcement Officers (TEOs), told Minister of Transportation Harinder Takhar in May they couldn’t do their jobs properly because of the new quota system the Ministry had put in place.
“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. In May, OPSEU asked Takhar to:
· Scrap the quota system for vehicle enforcement and allow officers to use their judgement.
· Enforce roads and weigh scales at all times, including long weekends.
· Provide enforcement on 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 cheaper and safer for the public.
· Stop retired MTO “consultants” from doing the work of front-line public servants.
· Review the outsourcing of driver examinations.
· Review the Tory download of provincial highways to municipalities.
So far, Takhar has not responded to any of these suggestions.
“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. “If he had listened, perhaps the costly messes on the 401 yesterday and the QEW today could have been avoided.”
-30-
For further information:
John O’Brien, OPSEU Executive Board cell 807-628-4364, home 807-628-8066
