RMT SUPPORTS TAXIS DRIVERS’ ACTION AGAINST PRIVATE-HIRE RANKS

RMT helpline 0800 3763706 :: march 2009 :: RMTnews 13 R MT taxi drivers joined a demonstration last month in Trafalgar Square organised by the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association and the London Cab Drivers’ Club. The protest was against the Public Carriage Office – the taxi driver’s licensing authority – and Westminster City Council for colluding to undermine licensed taxi trade with the creation of a rank for private- hire vehicles in London’s west end. The move blurs the distinction between licensed hackney carriages – taxis which ply for trade lawfully on the streets – and private-hire vehicles which break the law by touting for fares that have not been pre-booked. “Allowing private-hire ranks is a flagrant breach of the hackney carriage laws and is an attempt to undermine the licensed taxi trade,” RMT regional organiser Brian Whitehead told RMT News. “It is an attempt at legalising touting and if the PCO and Westminster council get away with it, other PHV ranks will follow as surely as night follows day, threatening the licensed taxi trade everywhere,” Mr Whitehead said. The demonstration at the beginning of February was a special day for the London taxi trade. More than eight thousand drivers took to the streets of central London and blockaded Trafalgar Square. Not only will new legislation mean that minicabs (private hire vehicles) will be able to form ranks – ostensibly plying for hire in the West End at night – plans are also afoot to introduce this unlawful practice elsewhere in London. On approaching Trafalgar Square I was absolutely delighted to see the RMT banner promoting the newly formed London taxi section, as were many of my colleagues. For too many years the taxi trade has taken it on the chin from the Public Carriage Office and the local authorities in London. For too long we have seen the erosion of our taxi work at night by minicab drivers who intimidate legitimate hackney carriage drivers by trying to "muscle out" the taxi trade and form no go areas. Not only have the authorities failed to protect the taxi driver from the worst abuses of touting by turning a blind eye to this, they persecute us by handing out parking tickets where we have had to stop at cash points or otherwise not get paid. Also, taxi drivers are penalised by London boroughs should they park for a moment to use the toilet. This is a situation that cannot go on. The taxi trade in London is almost on its knees and it may take many years of hard work and dedication to try and undo the damage that has been done. That is why I have joined the RMT, as I know that the union will not stand for this abuse against its members. The London taxi service has been around for over three hundred years: the first licences were granted by Oliver Cromwell in 1643. I have no doubt that with the support of the RMT and the formation of a new taxi trade branch in London that the addressing of grievances will be paramount. There is already a keen interest from my colleagues to join a union that has a track record of promoting the well being of its members in whatever transport trade group. RMT SUPPORTS TAXIS DRIVERS’ ACTION AGAINST PRIVATE-HIRE RANKS WHY I JOINED THE RMT by Steve Eagle