Strike threat could halt driving tests

Dozens of driving tests face being cancelled in the West Midlands next week as examiners walk out again.

It will be the fourth time since May that members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union will have gone on strike.

Next Thursday's action will be in the morning.

Exact numbers of striking examiners are not known but if all members of the PCS walk out for three hours as planned then more than 100 tests could potentially be scrapped.

There are 10 driving examiners who are PCS members in Wolverhampton, five in Lower Gornal, eight in Wednesbury, four in Cannock, four in Lichfield and five in Stafford.

The walkout is part of a continuing dispute over threatened job cuts and office closures.

Stewart Williams from the PCS said: "There has been no movement since July."

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) urged candidates to still turn up for their tests despite the possible lack of examiners.

Chief executive Rosemary Thew said: "Not all examiners are members of the PCS union and even if they are, we can't be sure that they'll support the strike. So we're asking candidates to come for their test as normal so it can go ahead if possible.

"We're sorry for the inconvenience this will cause and will do everything we can to minimise disruption for our customers."

The DSA said it was impossible to predict how many tests would be affected by the possible walkout.

Candidates who turn up but cannot take their tests because of strike action will not have to contact the DSA to rebook. They should hear from the agency with a new date within 10 working days. If candidates fail to attend they will not be able to claim out-of-pocket expenses if their tests are cancelled and they will need to rebook their own tests.

Driving examiners last went on strike on July 13 for three hours.

It followed a two hour walkout on June 8 and a 24-hour strike on May 10, when Border Agency staff at Birmingham Airport were also on strike along with other public sector workers.

They are angry over controversial pension reforms which require them to contribute more to their retirement and possibly receive less.