TORONTO, Ont. -- Ontario truckers looking to get their licenses seem to have gotten an early Christmas present this year, as a tentative deal has been reached with striking DriveTest employees, according to media reports.
DriveTest examiners walked off the job Aug. 21 to protest working conditions after months of contract negotiations fell through. During the ensuing strike, it is estimated that some 300,000 people were affected.
Though the deal must still achieve union approval, exam centres in Ontario are expected to be open by Jan. 5.
Trucknews.com’s WebTV show Transportation Matters followed the story throughout the strike, capturing protestors both in front of Serco’s Toronto headquarters – the European company that owns DriveTest – and at Caledonia-based KRTS Transportation Specialists when Serco management was performing tests for truckers.
DriveTest still offered limited service during the strike, with 12 exam centres out of more than 100 remaining staffed.
Brian Patterson, president of the Ontario Safety League, who broke the news to the media, estimates that it could take up to a year for the province to clear the backlog caused by the strike.