Car testing staff begin strike over pay

Most National Car Test Centres are closed today as SIPTU testing staff begin a strike over pay and conditions.

Only 17 of the 43 national centers are open. More than two-thirds of the 170 testing staff are involved in the action. A skeleton staff of managers and supervisors is working in the open centres.

An NCT spokeswoman said today an average of 1,400 cars per day were tested this time last year but this figure is expected to fall to 300 a day this year due to the strike.

The requirement for NCT-liable cars to have passed the test before applying for vehicle tax has been suspended by the Department of the Environment until further notice because of the strike.

This means that pre-1992 cars can be taxed for three months without the test and cars from 1992 to 1996 can be taxed for three, six or 12 months without the NCT certificate.

A Labour Court meeting between management and union representatives collapsed over the weekend and another meeting is scheduled for February 13th.

The NCT says those affected by the stoppages have been informed by post.