Nearly 2,000 staff working for the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) will be on strike today over the threat of office closures, job losses and changes to working practices.
Following the failure of last minute talks, members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), including driving examiners and administrative staff, will walkout at centres across the country.
The union is angry that a report by consultants Symbia, which recommends the closure of three customer service units, is already being implemented despite little consultation. It is a move that the union believes will reduce the overall level of service that driving test applicants and driving instructors receive.
Driving examiners are also angry at the changes in working practices that the report seeks to introduce, which the PCS believes will impact on road safety.
The main picket lines will be at the customer service units in Birmingham, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Cardiff, London and the Nottingham-based headquarters.
Paul Williams, PCS president for the Department for Transport, said: “Despite talks with the DSA over the last two weeks to find a resolution, we have been unable to reach any agreement.
“We remain unconvinced that the DSA’s agenda is about road safety and believe it is more about increasing income through cutting staff and services in areas that will have a negative impact on the public.”
The DSA has insisted that no decision has been made on job cuts or office closures.
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