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URTU defends training but abandons appeal

16th February 2012
Page 6
Page 6, 16th February 2012 — URTU defends training but abandons appeal
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By Chris Druce THE UNITED Road Transport Union (URTU) says it stands by the quality and delivery of the course that resulted in its suspension as a Driver CPC training provider, despite the decision to shelve its appeal.

URTU was found to be at fault by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) last year over a health and safety Driver CPC course held at the Holiday Inn in Bristol on 4 September, which inished short of the mandatory seven hours that JAUPT regulations demand.

The union launched an appeal (CM 19 January) but has now abandoned this to draw a line under the issue and maintain the integrity of the Driver CPC.

URTU general secretary Bob Monks tells CM: “We had a particular problem on the course, which saw us breach the approval regulations. We said to the DSA that we had previously run 19 courses prior [to this one] with no problem and another after without a problem.” However, Monks says that the course, which was open to union and non-union members alike, attracted a disruptive segment of non-URTU drivers, and after a fraught morning it was decided to inish as quickly as possible. “This is where the fault lies with us,” says Monks, who maintains that the full course content was delivered despite the shorter time frame. “I was there and I take full responsibility.” Monks says that while there is anecdotal evidence some providers aren’t delivering the required seven hours of training and ripping participants off, the union’s health and safety course is delivered at cost in support of drivers and not for enrichment.

URTU plans to seek re-approval as a Driver CPC provider later this year, and Monks says it refunded all the affected drivers on the course the £20 fee as soon as the DSA stated the hours would not count as oficial training hours.


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