Montreal's municipal engineer strike could paralyze construction sites

The union which represents Montreal's engineers and surveyors has sent an official strike notice to the city, threatening to walk off the job on May 17.

The 400 members,most of whom areengineers,have been without a collective agreement for five years.

The engineersare responsible for supervision and quality control for all city construction work from paving to replacement of sewer pipes.

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The Syndicat professionnel des scientifiques pratique exclusive de Montralsays the city has not played fair during negotiations.

Union presidentAndr Emond said proposals put on the table would slash workers' benefits. He said his members have been without salary increases for six years.

Emondsaid his members are paid less than the industry average. The city maintains they are paid more.

If the workers do walk off the job on May 17, it could have an effect on the 400 construction projects planned for the city in 2016.

Emond says if the city tries to bring in replacement workers, his members will do "whatever it takes" to block them.