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Taxi driver speaks out
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Author:  captain cab [ Wed Oct 20, 2010 9:22 am ]
Post subject:  Taxi driver speaks out
TAXI drivers in St Albans have warned of industrial action if a resolution is not met with the district council over pay licensing issues.

Members of the Hackey Carriage trade association say they are overworked and underpaid. They hope views aired during a recent meeting will be taken into account.

Mohammed Khan, chairman of the district's trade group, said problems with private hire taxi drivers touting their custom still exist.

A meeting between drivers, police and district council representatives was held in a bid to bring all the issue together.

However Mr Khan said a lot of work still needs to be done to improve the quality of working life for the district's taxi drivers.

In August the drivers staged a strike after being handed parking fines for waiting in the over-spill section of the St Peters Street rank.

The tickets were cancelled following talks with the council about the problems they face.

Mr Khan told the Review: “We would like to let the public know that if we don't come to an agreement with the council we will go on strike.

“It's not something we wish to do, we don't want to leave our customers stranded.

“We're not asking for much we just want to be brought into line with drivers in the rest of the county.

“I get paid less than the minimum wage, as do other drivers, and we are working up to 14 hours a day, it just isn't enough to make a living.

“We love what we do and we want to serve the public but we need to be paid for it.”

The problem with structuring taxi fares was raised at the meeting held last month and it is hoped through this a resolution can be met over pay.

Other issues raised included parking difficulties in the St Peters Street rank in and their desire to see a feeder rank created, their views on the need for additional taxi ranks in the district, arrangements for taxi hailing points, taxi trade support for a limitation to the number of taxi licences issued, and issues about drivers' pay and the taxi fare structure.

The district council said concerns from enforcement agencies were also discussed including problems with unattended vehicles obstructing the highway, damage to pavements and private hire vehicles plying for hire. Ways to improve communication and future partnership initiatives were also discussed.

One of the issues that the council has identified is the fact that there is no formal trade association for taxi drivers in the district, which makes agreement on rates and pay difficult.

The council’s suggestion that a taxi trade association be created is to be considered by the taxi drivers and it is hoped that this will then provide a consistent and representative forum through which future discussions can take place and formal agreements made. Councillor Chris Oxley said: “We very much appreciate the work that the taxi trade does for the city and district.

“Of course, their demands have got to be balanced against the needs of the whole community. We very much hope that they will form a taxi trade association which will help constructive dialogue.”

http://www.stalbansreview.co.uk/news/
Author:  toots [ Wed Oct 20, 2010 10:48 am ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
Mohammed Khan, chairman of the district's trade group, said problems with private hire taxi drivers touting their custom still exist.


I'm sure it does but is it as bad as the trade imply? Considering they are also complaining about being overworked :?

Quote:
Members of the Hackey Carriage trade association say they are overworked and underpaid.


Quote:
Mr Khan told the Review: “We would like to let the public know that if we don't come to an agreement with the council we will go on strike.


Thus sending what customers they do have into the vehicles of the private hire drivers :roll:

Quote:
“We're not asking for much we just want to be brought into line with drivers in the rest of the county.


Judging by some of the comments on here they already are in line with drivers in the rest of the country

Quote:
arrangements for taxi hailing points,


Whats one of those :?

Quote:
taxi trade support for a limitation to the number of taxi licences issued


Oh no, not the dreaded restriction again. It's a good job their not in Scotland
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