Fórsa has announced industrial action by driver testers employed by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) following the failure of conciliation talks at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) today (Thursday) to resolve concerns about uninsured vehicles being presented for driving tests.
The industrial action will commence with a full one-day work stoppage next Friday (20th February), from 8.15am to 5.30pm. Driver testers will also engage in an indefinite industrial action, refusing to conduct a driving test unless a valid certificate of insurance is produced by the candidate presenting for the test.
The decision follows three conciliation meetings at the WRC, the most recent of which took place earlier today, with no resolution.
Fórsa says the lack of a proper insurance verification system, combined with inadequate indemnity protections, has left staff exposed, and under pressure to proceed with tests in circumstances that would be unacceptable in any other area of public service.
The union said the RSA rejected union proposals to reform the standard operating procedure for driving tests, as part of efforts to formulate a resolution last week.
Fórsa official Ruairi Creaney explained: “Currently, driver testers are not fully covered by the State Claims Agency while carrying out their duties, particularly when conducting tests in uninsured vehicles.
“The absence of access to a national insurance verification system means there is no reliable way to confirm that vehicles presented for tests are properly insured. Exposing driver testers to this level of potential risk makes no sense.
“An uninsured vehicle is not a roadworthy vehicle and presents an unacceptable risk to the public. Driver testers are taking this action both in defence public safety, and to ensure their own workplace is safe,” he said
Fórsa driver tester members balloted for action last December, returning an overwhelming mandate for industrial action, with 95% voting in favour, on a turnout of 83%.
Chair of Fórsa’s RSA Professional branch, Philip Lambert, said: “Driver testers cannot be expected to conduct tests in vehicles where there is no certainty that proper insurance is in place. This action is necessary to protect staff while we continue to seek a more lasting and satisfactory solution.”
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