Josh Madore, 25, just bought a car and is expecting to become a father in two days. He said he took three buses and gave up a day's pay in order to go for his exam at the DriveTest centre. (Rebecca Zandbergen/CBC)

Ontario residents who showed up for their scheduled driver's exam Monday were surprised and disappointed to find their examiners on strike.

Josh Madore, 25, just bought a car, is expecting to become a father in two days and was hoping to get his licence as soon as possible.

"It's very, very important," said Madore, one of a steady stream of Ottawa residents who arrived at the DriveTest centre on Walkley Road for their exam Monday morning, unaware of the strike. They found out the news from a sign on the centre's door.

About 500 Ontario driving examiners represented by United Steelworkers Local 9511 officially walked off the job Sunday after failing to reach an agreement with their employer, Serco DES Inc.

The company has a contract with the Ontario government to conduct written and practical tests for new drivers and for motorists aged 80 and over at 55 DriveTest locations across the province.

Expired licences automatically extended

According to the DriveTest website, automated road test booking systems remain open during the labour disruption. However, aspiring drivers should reschedule their appointment for at least four business days from now, DriveTest advised, as it isn't clear when normal service will resume.

The Ministry of Transportation will automatically extend licences that are about to expire until the strike ends. The ministry also said police departments throughout North America have been notified of the labour disruption in case Ontario drivers are stopped with expired licences outside of the province.

Madore said he took the day off work, forgoing about $250 in pay, to take his written test and can no longer get into work as he asked his ride to leave without him. He took three buses in order to get to the DriveTest centre.

"It's kind of frustrating to come all the way from the west end… to be turned away."

Helen Zavala, who also took the day off work, said when she booked an appointment for her road test, she was told to leave her phone number so she could be called if her test were cancelled.

"Nobody called me," she said. "If I'd have known, I wouldn't be here."

Students hoping to get their licences before leaving for school in another city were also disappointed.

"I drove all the way here and they're not even open," said Philippe Jacques, 17, who won't have another chance to get his licence until he returns from Winnipeg next year.

No negotiations scheduled

David Lipton, staff representative for the DriveTest workers union, said negotiations broke off Friday after a marathon session of talks with Serco. The strike officially began Sunday, and no new talks have been scheduled. Lipton said picket lines were expected to be up shortly at all DriveTest locations.

The union's main issue is job security, Lipton said, as most employees are part-time and casual workers. Under changes proposed by the company, students or people with no seniority could hang on to their jobs while more senior members are laid off, he said.

"It's very, very hard on our members," he said.

He added that attempts to hire replacement workers during the strike could put the public at risk.

"It's an important core public function that needs to be done correctly in order to protect the public."

In 2003, Serco signed a 10-year, $114-million deal with the Ontario government to run the province's driver testing system. This is the first strike since driver testing was privatized in Ontario.