Driving examiners go on strike over pay and working conditions
Wed, 19 Apr 2023
Driving examiners in the United Kingdom have gone on strike over demands for better pay and working conditions, leading to the cancellation of thousands of driving tests.
Members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) launched a 48-hour strike on Monday, April 17, which saw the cancellation of around 14,500 driving tests across the country. The strike was called after negotiations between the union and the Government failed to reach an agreement.
The PCS, which represents driving examiners in England, Scotland and Wales, said that its members were frustrated with the Government's unwillingness to offer a pay rise that would match inflation, as well as its failure to address concerns over workload and the introduction of new tests.
According to the union, driving examiners have seen their pay fall by around 20% in real terms since 2010, and many are struggling to make ends meet. The union is demanding a pay increase of 10%, which it says would bring examiners' salaries in line with other civil servants.
The union has also raised concerns about the increasing workload faced by driving examiners, particularly in light of the introduction of new tests that have been designed to be more rigorous.
Examiners are now required to assess candidates on a range of new skills, such as driving at higher speeds and using satellite navigation systems.
PCS General Secretary Mark Serwotka said that the strike was a "last resort" for driving examiners who were "deeply frustrated" with the Government's refusal to listen to their concerns.
"We have tried to negotiate with the Government in good faith, but they have shown no willingness to engage with us on the issues that matter most to our members," he said.
The strike has caused significant disruption for learners across the country, with many having their tests cancelled at short notice. Some driving schools have also had to cancel lessons and refund fees to students who were unable to take their tests.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), which oversees driving tests in the UK, said that it had contacted affected learners to offer alternative test dates as soon as possible. However, the agency also urged the union to return to the negotiating table and find a resolution to the dispute.
"We are disappointed that the PCS has called this strike, which will have a significant impact on learners and driving instructors," a DVSA spokesperson said. "We are continuing to work hard to provide as many tests as possible during this period of disruption and we urge the PCS to return to talks as soon as possible."
The strike is the latest in a series of industrial actions by civil servants in the UK, who have been demanding better pay and working conditions amid ongoing austerity measures. The PCS has been at the forefront of these actions, with members striking across a range of sectors, from museums and galleries to tax offices and job centres.
The union has vowed to continue its campaign until the government agrees to its demands. Further strikes are planned for the coming weeks, with the union warning that it will escalate the action if necessary.
For now, however, the focus remains on the driving examiners, who are determined to get the recognition they feel they deserve. As one examiner told a local newspaper, "We love our jobs, but we need to be treated fairly. It's not too much to ask."
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