NCT workers threaten strike after suspension

NATIONAL car test workers are threatening to strike and throw the NCT system into disarray following the suspension of a mechanic for allegedly passing cars improperly.

SIPTU yesterday said it was balloting its 250 members at National Car Testing Services (NCT) for industrial action. The result will be known next week.

SIPTU’s Automobile, General Engineering and Mechanical Operatives’ (AGEMO) trade group secretary Christy Cullen said industrial action would begin unless the company immediately reinstated the man and stopped using hidden cameras and private detectives on staff.

The mechanic was suspended from his job at the Naas car test depot in County Kildare following an investigation into his work by a private detective hired by the company.

“This is the second time NCT have trumped up charges against this particular member since we won a union recognition case in 2000,” said Mr Cullen.

“Yet in their own words, he has tested all cars according to proper procedures and is not guilty of fraud or any other wrongdoing.”

It is understood a private detective mounted a hidden camera on a parked car and recorded cars being tested over several weeks. It is claimed that the mechanic initially failed most of the cars, but subsequently passed them on retest for free, by carrying out a visual inspection only on the cars.

The company is claiming there was a pattern in the retesting. There was no spokesperson available for comment yesterday at the NCT which is run by Swiss firm, SGS group.

Mr Cullen said industrial relations between management and SIPTU were now at an all-time low, claiming union activists were constantly under threat of suspension or dismissal.

“Since 2000, NCT have wrongfully dismissed ten of our activists. However, we succeeded in getting all of the unfair dismissals charges against them overturned by a Rights Commissioner.”

Mr Cullen said they had advised NCT management that the union was willing to enter into negotiations to agree a system to tighten up administrative procedures for testing if they felt this would cut down on potential irregularities.