Striking DriveTest workers ask Ont. to intervene
Last Updated: Friday, November 27, 2009 | 4:31 PM ET
CBC News
Ontario's driving examiners are asking the province to step in and end the 14-week labour dispute that has shut down road test centres across the province.
Employees of DriveTest, the company that operates Ontario's 56 driver examination centres, and their supporters gathered outside the Caboto Club in Windsor Friday afternoon.
They urged Ontario Finance Minister and Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Dwight Duncan to help negotiate a settlement between the workers and their employer, Serco DES Inc.
Duncan was at the club to deliver a speech to the regional chamber of commerce.
"We're here just to make a message to the government," said Gerry Robinson, a Drive Test employee who took part in the protest.
"This strike is affecting too many people right now, and we need people back to work so people can get their driver's licences," Robinson said.
Six hundred DriveTest workers walked out on Aug. 21 over the issue of job security after talks between the employees and Serco DES broke down.
Opposition MPP Jim Wilson introduced a private member's bill Monday to try and push the government to end the Drive Test strike. The provincial government is not supporting the bill, which would use binding arbitration to resolve the dispute.
The government has said the dispute has to be settled at the negotiating table.
Drive Test is offering limited services at seven of the 56 driver examination centres it operates.
