1996/99
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Driving testers plan all-out strike
8 April 1998
ROW OVER 'UNACCEPTABLE' WORKING CONDITIONS ESCALATES
By Tom Kelly
An all-out strike is pending by driving testers in Mayo.
They have served notice on the Department of Environment that industrial action will be taken from Monday, May 18th, bringing tests to a standstill in the county. The dispute could escalade into a nationwide strike unless a swift resolution can be reached.
The testers, members of the Impact Union, are at loggerheads with the Department over working conditions at Castlebar. They are unhappy with the accommodation provided since being transferred from their original base at Davitt House.
Public Service Union representatives have pointed out that their members will no longer accept temporary facilities provided at An Sportlann, off MacHale Road. A source confirmed they were 'grossly unhappy' at having to use the public bar at the centre as an office and interview room.
The testers also found it difficult to conduct tests on days of big colleges and other matches at the nearby stadium. A ballot was taken by union members at a special meeting, and the proposal to take strike action received unanimous backing.
Driving testers throughout the country have indicated they will support their Mayo colleagues if their demands are not met. The key demand is the provision of a permanent driving test centre on a site in Castlebar.
A number of sites have been examined, but the Department has been accused of 'dragging its feet' on sanctioning the proposal. Now the issue is set to come to a head following tough behind-the-scenes negotiations which failed to bear fruit.
Stated a source at the centre of the dispute:"We hoped the matter would have been resolved a long time ago. But Department officials have refused to meet us half way.
"Working conditions are simply not acceptable for driving testers in Castlebar. They tolerated them on a temporary basis. But they cannot be expected to tolerate them on an indefinite basis.
"The only course left to us is industrial action which could develop into a national strike by union members."
Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - April 1998
