Drive Test and USW resume talks

 

 

      
Drive Test and USW resume talks
September 9, 2009

After talks came to an abrupt halt, many were left wondering when DriveTest and the United Steel Workers (USW) would resume talks. Well now that day has come. The two parties have started talks today with the hope of reaching an agreement after weeks of workers picketing outside 55 fulltime DriveTest locations across the province, including the John Street location in Oshawa. Workers went on strike on Aug. 21 after talks broke down between the two parties.“This strike is hurting both our employees and our customers. We want to find a fair resolution to the outstanding issues so everyone can get back to work,” says DriveTest
Managing Director Paul Dalglish in a press release.

“We remain hopeful that renewed discussions with the USW will result in a settlement
that meets the needs of our employees while allowing us to continue providing a high level
of customer service throughout the year.” Currently, the two main areas of concern
are the role of supervisors within DriveTest centres as well as work hours. The USW wants supervisors to conduct duties within their job description and not take on other tasks that may be required of them in smaller centres, says Dalglish. DriveTest estimates that about 4,000 people per day across the province have not been able to get or renew their driver’s licence because of the current strike.

Almost 600 employees are represented by the USW. In Oshawa, there are currently seven DriveTest examiners who conduct road tests, plus employees who do written tests and work inside. Usually each road test examiner conducts around 15 tests a day. While the strike is on, the centre is closed, meaning no one is able to do a test. However, the province has made several arrangements to reduce the public impact by extending the expiry date of any licences that require a test for renewal.

According to a DriveTest press release, the company has also created temporary processes to allow some commercial drivers, who have been trained by their employer under the Driver Certification Program, to have their license upgrades processed during the strike.

“This has been particularly helpful for school bus companies who are preparing for the start of the school year,” explains Dalglish.

For more information visit www.DriveTest.ca
     
     
     

 
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