Labour Court recommends changes to Road Safety Authority driver testing service

The Labour Court recommended changes to the Road Safety Authority’s driver testing service in its dispute with the Irish Municipal, Public and Civil Trade Union. The recommendation was signed on 25 June 2012. The Court backed proposals on accreditation and training, and said the union should cooperate with new application technology, which should not be used for industrial relations or related purposes, including disciplinary issues. It also recommended changing the annual-leave notice period from five to eight weeks, with further discussions on a Family Friendly Policy; extra winter tests should proceed on the same basis as the notice change. The Court recommended accepting proposals on mobile test centre staffing and motorcycle testing, with further discussions on mobile-centre arrangements and monitoring of motorcycle testing. External staff should be confined to temporary needs arising from short-term absences or similar exigencies. On short outs, the Court noted that the proposal would require mandatory overtime and recommended discussions on alternatives, with voluntary implementation in the meantime. A proposal for Approved Driving Instructors to accompany testers should be accepted, with a code of practice developed after further discussions. Grade restructuring was left for discussion when firm and detailed proposals were produced.