DVLA strike threat could worsen lorry driver crisis
THE critical shortage of HGV drivers is likely to get worse after new strike action was threatened at the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency.
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) warned last night that possible industrial action “could not come at a worse time”, aggravating the driver shortage that has led to empty supermarket shelves and a fuel crisis.
The DVLA said any strike would hold “millions of drivers to ransom”.
The government agency is working through a backlog of a reported 50,000 vocational driving licences that stretches back more than two months.
The Public and Commercial Services union at the DVLA’S offices in Swansea will vote in the coming weeks on further industrial action over fears that 2,500 staff working in its offices are at risk of Covid.
DVLA staff working from home owing to the pandemic – about 3,500 – are not allowed to handle driving licence applications or medical certificates needed to issue HGV licences. The RHA said: “As far as we are concerned, this action could not come at a worse time. We currently have a 100,000 driver shortage and clearing the 50,000 licence applications backlog would make a massive difference. If the strike goes ahead it will make an already bad situation much, much worse.”
Rob Hollyman, director of Youngs Transportation & Logistics, said: “Any strike action would be yet another nail in the coffin of what is left of the haulage industry. It is just awful.”
It is unclear what effect any strike action, which would likely take effect in the run-up to Christmas, would have on the number of lorry drivers prevented from working as a consequence.
Most can carry on driving lorries while a licence application is being processed but a significant number – estimated to be several thousand – would be hit by any further backlog.
The union has been calling for a reduction in staff working on site at the DVLA. Industrial action began in February and it is reported that 58 days have been lost to strikes in that time.
The union’s Mark Serwotka said: “We want a deal that has Covid safety measures at its heart, appropriate reward and recognition for staff working throughout the pandemic and a workplace recovery plan, agreed with the union.
“If our members vote once again for strike action, we will support them every step of the way.”
The DVLA said: “It is extremely disappointing that PCS continues to pursue unnecessary industrial action which will hold millions of motorists across the country to ransom.”