MSA Newslink November 2021

For all the latest news, see www.msagb.com
Agreement to pause eighth test eases
tensions between DVSA and examiners
DVSA plans to introduce an eighth L-test
to examiners’ working day, as part of its
strategy to alleviate some of the testing
backlog, have been scaled back in the
face of opposition from driving examiners.
Examiner industrial action planned as a
result of the proposal has also been
cancelled.
As MSA GB members will be aware
from previous issues of Newslink, the
proposal to add the extra test was
overwhelmingly rejected by examiners in
a ballot organised by their trades union,
the PCS. 92% of members who voted
said they were prepared to go on strike
over the new eight-test schedules. There
was an 80% turnout, with 95% voting
yes to action short of a strike.
Despite the rejection, DVSA planned to
forge ahead with its plan, prompting
examiner strike action to be called on
October 11 and 12. However, these
strikes were cancelled after the two
parties agreed to further talks, which
ended in agreement. A spokesman for
the PCS said the new deal “effectively
removes the plans to introduce an eighth
test to the schedule for a period of at
least 12 months.”
A further ballot has now been called of
PCS members, with a recommendation
to accept the agreement.
PCS Department for Transport Group
President, Paul Williams, said: “Members
have spoken loudly and clearly with their
mandate. PCS now has a duty, if members
will accept our recommendation, to hold
DVSA to the letter and the spirit of the
agreement and to make further gains for
members across the whole of DVSA.”
He added: “This a significant
achievement and clearly demonstrates
what can be achieved when union
members stand united.”
The ballot, which is being held
electronically, closes at noon on 5
November.
If, as expected, the agreement is
ratified by members, the PCS will also
advise members to stop ‘working to rule’,
which had disrupted L-tests in some
centres over the past month.
MSA GB said that the removal of the
threat of strike action was welcome, as
the L-test system didn’t need any further
disruption and that candidates were the
unwitting victims of the disagreement.
However, “we’re still none the wiser on
how the government and the DVSA plans
to cut the L-test waiting list decisively.
Members are still coming up against
14-20 weeks waiting times in some
L-test centres, forcing pupils to abandon
training or take L-tests in centres many
miles away from their home.
“The additional 250 examiners
promised by the DVSA are still not
having any impact on waiting times,
which are growing longer every day.
“We fear that a bad winter, with tests
cancelled, could make a bad situation
worse.”
NEWSLINK n NOVEMBER 2021
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