Union action to hit licensing
Page 6
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• A work to rule by clerical staff threatened to disrupt the work of Traffic Area Offices this week.
The action started on Monday and could hit the processing of applications for HGV and Operator Licences.
Civil and Public Servants' Association members at Leeds, Newcastle, Manchester, Nottingham and London voted to take action against the DTp's planned re-organisation of Traffic Areas, which will result in several closures. CPSA group secretary John Gallacher believes: "The people at Marsham Street have not got a clue what is going on in the transport industry.
"One thing we can help operators to do is compete with the rest of Europe. Yet the handling of the cabotage permits' issue was a disaster. Despite our warning, the Minister three years ago, they just were not ready for it," says Gallacher, adding that the International Road Freight Office which handles permits is staffed mostly by casuals. El Response to the Vehicle Inspectorate's voluntary preEtcy brake test checking service has been good, with 474 axles tested at 26 a time since 11 April.
Brake defects are the most common cause of annual test failure, "causing ministerial concern", says the VI. Saturday LIGV testing has been popular: in Mitcham, Surrey 396 vehicles have been tested over six Saturdays.
VI plans include: ▪ a national database to re cord the results of all roadworthiness inspections by registration mark — it is expected to be on line by autumn 1991; • The sale of minor replace ment parts, such as bulbs; El Test slots for unspecified vehicles; O A pre-recorded telephone service with details of fees for HGV, PSV and MoT tests; O A merger with the Traffic Examiner organisation from 1 April 1990.