After a couple of initial u-turns, the union representing Ontario's driving examiners did finally walk off the job Friday evening.
A morning that began with the news that negotiations were continuing and DriveTest centres would be open ended with news employees of Serco Inc., who work as driver examiners for the Ministry of Transportation, would walk off the job indefinitely.
Reps say they haven't been able to come to an agreement with their employer after two negotiation extensions and work stoppage false starts. At issue are claims of dwindling hours and insufficient job protection.
"That is why our members will be going on strike immediately, said Jim Young, President of United Steelworkers Local 9511. "What is at stake here is quality service for driving examinations, so the public are safe on Ontario's roads."
Serco operates 55 full-time examination centres in Ontario and 38 part-time locations. The company acquired the right to provide driver examination services from MTO in September 2003 for a 10-year term for the sum of $114 million after the decision was made to privatize the service.
The USU represents 500 examiners. All tests are postponed while the stoppage continues.