Tue Nov. 03 2009 4:43:47 PM
Truck driving instructors, students say DriveTest strike is killing jobs
The Canadian Press
TORONTO — Truck driving instructors are losing their jobs and students are unable to finish their training because of an 11-week DriveTest strike the government should be bringing to a conclusion, critics charged Tuesday.
"These are people that have lost their jobs in the past in the manufacturing industry and they thought trucking would be a good career for them, yet they come in only to find out there's another set back -- they cannot go for road tests," said Gus Rahim, president of the Truck Training Schools Association of Ontario.
"I'm not sure what they're on now -- maybe social assistance, or their benefits have run out. They're very, very frustrated."
The strike is also affecting instructors who are getting laid off because enrolment has come almost to a standstill, and opposition parties say it's time for the government to step in to force an end to the strike.
"People need (the labour) minister to assume the responsibility and the authority that he has to ensure that this doesn't continue to drag out, that people have an opportunity to take on the jobs for which they're trained," said Progressive Conservative Frank Klees.
"This is not about a 16-year-old wanting his licence. It's about adults who have lost their jobs, who cannot get to work, and it has gone on long enough."
Premier Dalton McGuinty said the government was encouraging both sides in the dispute to come to an agreement but wouldn't get involved in the negotiations.
"What we've done is all that we can at this time," said McGuinty.
"You can't admit new drivers at this time but anybody who has already been licensed, if they're up for renewal or something like this, we're giving them an extension."
DriveTest workers, represented by the United Steelworkers Union, began the strike on Aug. 21 over the key issue of job security after talks broke off with their employer, Serco DES Inc.
The main issues have been wages, benefits and a company proposal to increase the number of part-time workers at the expense of full-time jobs.
The strike affects 93 full-time and part-time DriveTest sites, which grant or renew licences to novice drivers and those over 80.
Labour Minister Peter Fonseca insisted the government must let the collective bargaining process take its course, despite any inconveniences.
"We have some of our best mediators working on these negotiations and they are making positive, progressive progress," Fonseca said.
"My understanding is the union has agreed to present the employer's final offer to the membership this week."
What's been characterized as a final offer has already been rejected by union leadership but it will be presented to members for a vote.
Rahim said that if the government doesn't want to interfere, it should at least let the schools do their own testing so people can get to work.
Peter Murphy, a driving instructor from London, Ont., said he's only working a total of 13 hours this week, and eight last week.
"There's no money. I have to get a new job," he said.
"When they get it all figured out, we're all going to be working somewhere else, and probably not come back."
Murphy was one of dozens of drivers and instructors who gathered at the legislature Tuesday to protest the strike, along with 50 school buses and trailer trucks that circled Queen's Park.
The province contracted out driver testing in 2003 to Serco DES in a 10-year deal.
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Comments are now closed for this story
November 03, 2009 at 5:15:34 PM
steve
Positive, progressive progress??? Is he kidding? how is an 11 week strike and the government not intervening progress?
And job security - grow up people. there is no such animal anymore this is the 21st century and you should be lucky to have any job in OnTAXio. Fire them all and contract out the jobs but then again, I keep forgetting the government only cares about coddling the unions and big business and doesn't give a crap about the rest of us.
November 03, 2009 at 5:29:47 PM
Peter B
I guess that it will be a no brainer that at the end of the 10 year deal that it should not be renewed and keep the jobs inside the province instead of contracting the jobs out. And oh yeah I would take their job package anyday of the week. It's time that these people should be thankfull for what is offered to them. I am also affected by it; I passed my driving instructor road test on July 28 and they were running the background OPP check which takes 4-6 weeks somehow; even though I found out it can be done privately for about $40 and you will have your results within 48-72 hours, sadly enough it's not an option. I wonder when will the government grow a couple and start taking charge in this province from e-health scandals to insurance companies.
November 03, 2009 at 5:48:59 PM
Dave
This infuriates me. Strikes should only be allowed if it doesn't impact 3rd parties whom have no control or say in what is going on.
If Coke goes on strike, I can drink Pepsi. If CTV goes on strike,I can watch Global etc.
However, if teachers, bus drivers, garbage men etc. go on strike, innocent people are hurt and they can't do a thing about it.
The time to review essential services must be reviewed and changes made. Holding up for ransome has to end.
The bottom line is that they will settle eventually, why not now. Use final offer selection. That keeps everyone thinking.
November 03, 2009 at 7:04:41 PM
JNC
Tell the employers to stop trying to take away benefits, wages and job security if you want the workers to go back to work!
No one should have to take pay cuts, lose benefits and an employer should NOT be allowed to fire people for lame excuses. Job security doesn't mean they want their jobs guaranteed for the rest of their lives, people - some of you need to take a basic labour negotiation course.
November 03, 2009 at 7:33:55 PM
capo
i said it a million time ill say it again... UNLESS unions see that there is consequences of strikes WE WILL NOT SEE THE END OF THIS STRIKE CHAIN. After this is the next and the next one after that. MANY people are driving without proper licensing now because they have to and to be honest i don't blame them. Government needs to rethink A LOT of things.
November 03, 2009 at 8:39:17 PM
anonomus
This is outrageous
November 03, 2009 at 9:12:43 PM
p w
I was at today's rally for a good reason. I've been out of work for 10 months,and was scheduled for the road test on September 4, 2009. My E.I. has almost run out which means I won't be able to continue mortgage payments. I wonder if the politicians who allows this strike to continue will loose his/her home when I can't make my payments. If they would only consider situations like mine they might do the jobs they were elected to do. I would also have a chance to find work that I would like to do.
November 04, 2009 at 7:23:39 AM
USWnproud
Please make yourself aware of the issues before you make asinine commemts. The strike is not about wages, and the job security at issue is fulltime as opposed to parttime. Could you support your family on a parttime wage? Serco considers our work to be seasonal, like a landscaper, do you only drive in the summer? As for any of you wanting to do our jobs, exactly how much do you think we get paid? I guarantee our jobs are not as luxurious as you think. Keep in mind, we don't work for the government, we work for a private company that doesn't care about safety on Ontario roads, only the $$$ factor. As for driving schools being able to test their students, you people are not trained examiners and are only looking for signing authority, another case of only looking at the $$$ factor.