Driving Examiners Set to Strike
Are driving examiners set to strike as they vent their anger at the extra work forced upon them by managers at the Driving Standards Agency?
Update: 15/10/21
The strike is called off as DVSA management have backed down in their attempt to force examiners into an 8 test day. They have agreed to postpone the idea for a minimum of 12 months. They have also agreed to the implementation of a proper timing study in conjunction with the union; in addition to holding further discussions with full union involvement in the process.
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Examiners currently conduct 7 tests per day in 57 minute long slots. As the agency panics to try and get the waiting list down after the Covid-19 cancellations, they now want examiners to conduct 8 tests per day. The problem is that there is no extra time available to do this; or any extra pay. An additional test each day will generate a lot of extra money for the agency. None of this however, will give examiners what they see as a long overdue pay increase.
Driving examiner’s are always under the pressure of time. Particularly at test centres in busy cities, where tests often run late due to traffic jams. There is concern that the added pressure of trying to squeeze an extra test in will create unnecessary stress; and the PCS union’s viewpoint is that managers are simply ignoring the matter of staff welfare.
Lowering the Standards?
There is also concern that the only way to conduct 8 tests is to cut test routes. Also to omit things from the test in order to save time. This could lead to a lower standard; and poor drivers passing owing to learners spending less time on the road than they do at present.
Apparently the DVSA have conducted trials which management claim to have been a success. These trials however were conducted at only a handful of selected test centres during the school holidays. This is when the roads were at their quietest.
The examiner’s union claim not to have had any consultation during the decision making process. They have asked the agency to carry out a full timing study. And also to conduct proper research into the affect these changes may have on staff welfare. Management has not met those requests. It seems that they are oblivious to the strength of feeling amongst disillusioned staff. Many feel that their employers are ignoring their own concerns.
It’s no wonder then that driving examiners are set to strike.