AA Strikes: What you need to know

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by: David Martin
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Date: Sun, 30 May 2010 Time: 7:01 AM
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Planning a break in the UK this May bank holiday weekend? If so, and if you're taking your car, then there is one problem you may need to be aware of. AA patrol staffs have threatened to stage a 48-hour strike over 2-3 May, the bank holiday weekend, in what is the first of a potential series of walk-outs. The threatened action is as a result of a dispute over the company's pension scheme and is intended to cause the biggest possible impact.

The AA is assuring customers that "no one will be left at the roadside", and says a "robust contingency plan would swing into action" to offer services over the period should strikes go ahead. However, Alistair Maclean, national secretary of the Independent Democratic Union (IDU), which represents the AA's patrol staff, has severe doubts about the company's ability to cope with the loss of staff.

"There is no doubt in our mind that they are going to leave members of the public and their families exposed," he said. "If you get 15,000 breakdowns in the day, and a normal day is around 10,000 - and you've taken 2,000 patrols off the road - it can't be possible, can it?"

The union added that the AA's claim that the weekend would be ‘business as usual' for customers was "misleading". As with most industrial action, it seems as if this episode will be a story of claim and counter-claim, painting a confusing picture for motorists planning on travelling.

So could customers be affected?

A spokesman for the company says "no plans have been communicated as yet" to deal with the potential loss of staff over the bank holiday weekend. However, the AA also cannot guarantee that their services will not be affected in some way. Indeed, it may be that, if the company does manage to keep its promise not to leave members stranded, drivers could be affected in other ways.

If strikes do go ahead, one service that is likely to be suspended is on-the-spot membership - aimed at customers without cover that sign up that day in order to receive service. The AA's spokesman admitted that these provisions may be abandoned over the weekend to ensure the company can meet demand from existing customers. No need to panic, though - some other major providers such as the RAC and Green Flag offer this service if you don't already have breakdown insurance.

The group refused to be drawn on plans for other specific services, repeating that it will be ‘business as usual' for customers. However, if the level of disruption reaches the levels expected by the union, other services that could potentially be affected are:

* Home Start - 1 in 4 breakdowns occur before your car has even left the drive, but it could be that this is one service that loses out as a result of any strike action that takes place. You will not be entitled to this service anyway if you are on the AA's basic rescue package.

* ‘Relay' - This service offers to drive you wherever you want in the UK if your car is unable to be fixed. It could be that this is sacrificed if demand is unmanageable.

* Waiting times - The AA has an average response time of 40-45 minutes under normal circumstances. However, the IDU thinks that customers should expect to wait a lot longer if the strikes do take place, if they are rescued at all.

What do you need to do?

Despite all this, there's no need to panic. There is every chance that strike action may still be averted, and even if it isn't there is plenty you can do to make sure your car and your bank holiday run smoothly.

Will Thomas, head of motor insurance at Confused.com, advised the following to anyone planning to use their car as their main mode of transport over the bank holiday:

* Perform all the usual checks; oil, tyre condition and pressure, make sure you have water and coolant in the reservoir, and windscreen washer.

* Spare supplies; It's not a bad idea to keep some tools, spare bottles of oil, washer and coolant in the boot along with your spare tyre. Also keep some spare bulbs in the vehicle, and a manual in case you suddenly need to learn how to fit them!

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