Threat to driving tests in dispute over jobs

Driving examiners were going on strike today in a dispute over jobs and office closures, leading to the possibility of test cancellations across the region.

Around 100 driving tests in the area were set to be cancelled if all examiners who are members of the Public and Commercial Services join the walkout for three hours from 1.30pm.

Today's action is part of a long-running dispute over cuts at the Department for Transport and its agencies, which saw a series of stoppages last month.

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 examiners' strike will be followed on Monday by more than a week of industrial action by coastguard staff over plans to close nine of the UK's 18 rescue stations and cut more than 140 jobs. The PCS said the cuts would put lives at risk.

The strikes, running from July 16 to 24, will involve staff ending their shifts an hour early and starting the next shift an hour later.

Meanwhile, staff at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency will strike on July 27 over office closures.