Driver Testing Services Could Resume Across Ontario in New Year

United Steelworkers and DriveTest Reach Tentative Agreement in 4-Month Strike

TORONTO - Driver examination services could resume Jan. 4 in Ontario as a result of a tentative agreement reached between the United Steelworkers union and Serco DES Inc. (DriveTest).

"We reached a tentative deal on Saturday (Dec 18th) and our negotiating committee is unanimously recommending that our members ratify the proposed contract," said Jim Young, President of USW Local 9511.

"Returning to work with this agreement will provide a good base for future contracts," Young said.

"A ratification vote will be held by our members across the province within the next couple weeks," he added.

About 590 members of Local 9511 have been on strike for four months at DriveTest locations across Ontario. DriveTest, a subsidiary of British-based multinational Serco Group PLC, has been responsible for driver testing services in Ontario since 2003, when the public service was privatized by the former Conservative government.

"I am proud of our members for fighting the good fight for the last four months and for standing up to this giant corporation until it was willing to negotiate a fair deal," said Wayne Fraser, the USW's District 6 Director.

If the tentative agreement is ratified by the workers, driver examination services are expected to resume Jan. 4 at most DriveTest locations. Services are expected to resume at the remainder of the locations shortly thereafter.