Forest-fire suppression in Northern Ontario will likely cost more this year. The pilots who fly CL-415 waterbombers say the government's refusal to give them more pay could cost an extra $600,000.
The extra cost is based on overtime and training costs incurred by the Ministry of Natural Resources to cover the cancellation of a compressed work-year agreement. The MNR says it cannot unilaterally approve the extra overtime pilots want.
The 22 waterbomber pilots, covered by the agreement, work only during the forest-fire season. They work 12-hour shifts and take no vacation. The pilots have a plan that they say would cost $100,000.
