The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Driving tests cancelled after examiners go on strike
dispute: Anger and concern over changes to the test
Hundreds of driving tests have been cancelled in Tayside and Fife after examiners across the UK launched a 48-hour strike.
Members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union have mounted picket lines outside major test centres amid claims examiners are being told to work longer, harder and for no extra pay because of changes to driving tests.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) disputes PCS’s claims.
A picket line is scheduled to take place today from 8am outside Kirkcaldy Driving Test Centre on Randolph Place.
On the day the new driving test was introduced, it was estimated around 10,000 tests have been cancelled.
Donna White, the representative for PCS union members in Tayside and Fife, said: “Members are furious at the seeming lack of respect shown to them by DVSA’s refusal to conduct meaningful negotiations with their elected PCS representatives, on the main issue of travel time terms and conditions.
“Driving examiners and vehicle side members could be deployed to anywhere in the country, enforcing an extended day.
“PCS also have major health and safety concerns surrounding the new test and one of the new manoeuvres.”
Labour has given its backing to the examiners in the dispute. Shadow rail minister Rachael Maskell said: “It is appalling that DVSA senior managers and ministers have allowed this dispute to escalate, meaning thousands of driving tests are having to be cancelled.”
DVSA director of people, communications and engagement Adrian Long disputed the points made by PCS.
Mr Long said: “PCS’s desperate claim that changes to the driving test will cause examiners to work longer and harder is simply not true.
“In the last year we’ve recruited more than 320 extra driving examiners – reducing waiting times.
“It’s also significantly reduced the number of times we ask examiners to work at other centres – 1.5 days on average in the last four months. This means that we are not asking examiners to travel an extra day each week as PCS claim.
“DVSA has met with PCS more than 40 times to try to solve this dispute but, despite our best efforts – including an offer of mediation – PCS has stuck to its unreasonable demands.”