Driving test examiners have announced that they will take strike action for two days next week in a row over working hours.
Members of the Public and Commercial Services union, which represents 1,600 Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) staff, including assessors, will walk out on 19th and 20th November.
The strike comes following a row over new working patterns, which the union says will lead to longer shifts, and the driving test examiners voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial measures.
According to the union, nearly two-thirds of its members voted in the strike ballot, with 96 per cent voting for industrial action and a massive 91 per cent voting in support of strikes.
Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the union, criticised what he described as DVSA bosses’ “blatant disregard” for road safety, and said that union members are “appalled” at the Agency’s move.
However, the DVSA has countered, saying that the union’s actions are “disappointing” and claims that employees signed a trade union-agreed standard job contract last year.
Paul Satoor, chief executive of the DVSA, said that the new contracts had been approved to offer employees more shift adaptability and offer learner drivers a more “flexible and convenient” service.
He also stressed that any driver who has booked their test next week won’t have to worry, as contingency plans have been set up in the event that the walkouts go ahead.
