The members of the DVSA Examiner division of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) have overwhelmingly voted to take industrial action due to issues surrounding pay and conditions. Nearly 1900 PCS members in England, Wales, and Scotland voted by a margin of 90.5% in favor of action, with a turnout of 59.21%. The dates of the strikes will be communicated at a later time.
DIA Chief Executive Carly Brookfield expressed concern, stating, “This strike could not have come at a worse time in terms of driving test recovery. While DVSA was indicating the deployment of extra staffing resource was starting to have an encouraging impact on test waiting times, Examiner industrial action will inevitably set this progress back.”
There is an ongoing dispute between DVSA and PCS members regarding strategies to clear the backlog of driving tests, as well as issues relating to pay and terms of service. The ‘driver services recovery program,’ led by Secretary of State for Transportation Mark Harper, aims to reduce backlogs to a 7-week national average by March 31, 2024. However, PCS believes that the extra push on test resourcing jeopardizes safety and erodes the terms and conditions of staff members.
PCS General Secretary Mark Serwotka stated, “To recover a backlog of tests that was their own making, Mark Harper and management in the DVSA have demonstrated that they are willing not only to jeopardize our members’ safety and attack their terms and conditions. They are also showing scant regard for safety standards for driving test candidates.”
DVSA responded by expressing disappointment with the PCS ballot supporting industrial action and stated they are open to talks with PCS to find a resolution. The agency also highlighted their efforts to reduce waiting times and maintain services during any potential industrial action.
The agency has advised that there is no need to contact them regarding concerns about industrial action, as they will update individuals on any impact on their services as soon as more information becomes available.