Taxi Driver Online :: View topic - Cab strike after Brighton taxi drivers' arrests

Angry taxi drivers have criticised police after two cabbies were arrested in a row over parking.

Brighton city centre was brought to a standstill on Friday night when scores of taxi drivers pulled up at busy ranks and got out of their cars in a two-hour protest at the arrests.

They had been queuing at a drop-off point in Queens Road to get on to the station rank when they were told to move from the double yellow lines .

One of the drivers, Mick Little, 54, said he was dragged out of his car by the officer and marched into the station for questioning.

“He dragged me out of the car and frogmarched me into the station. I was questioned for an hour and then given a £30 fine for causing an obstruction''

Last night taxi drivers said too many taxi licences are being issued.

At the station rank there are 17 parking spaces to cater for the 400 taxis that have passes.

Raj Vasanthen, who has been a cabbie in Brighton for 23 years, said: “This is an ongoing issue. There are too many cabs and too many passes for the station.

“It was only when I came out that I realised everyone had gone on strike in support.”

Other taxi drivers saw what was happening and word of the strike spread on radios and mobile phones.

Both the city centre’s main ranks, at the station and in East Street, were blocked by stationary cabs.

The stand-off lasted almost two hours before Sussex Police officers persuaded the taxi drivers to go back to work amid fears of escalating violence on the streets from drinkers unable to get home.

It appears that the police person was being a bit of a d#ckhead, it would have been nice to see him being surrounded by all the drivers and then using his handcuffs being cuffed to a nearby lamppost, I do belive this has happened in the past

Raj Vasanthen, who has been a cabbie in Brighton for 23 years, said: “This is an ongoing issue. There are too many cabs and too many passes for the station.

“It’s not ideal to queue just outside the station but if you turn and drive around for a bit you miss your slot to get into the rank. It’s no surprise something like this has happened.”

A video clip has appeared showing some of the aftermath.

http://www.yournews.itvlocal.com/Clip.a ... DE3506B2A7

Wouldn't it be nice to see a National Taxi Drivers Association spring up out of this.

I'm totally with you on National solidarity.
I think the time is right having seen what's been going on all over the country.
Wouldn't it be nice to see a National Taxi Drivers Association spring up out of this.

Can we count on all Hackney & Private Hire Drivers?

So when do we have the first National Cab strike then?

Author:	brightonbreezy [ Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:40 pm ]
Post subject:	Cab strike after Brighton taxi drivers' arrests
Angry taxi drivers have criticised police after two cabbies were arrested in a row over parking. Brighton city centre was brought to a standstill on Friday night when scores of taxi drivers pulled up at busy ranks and got out of their cars in a two-hour protest at the arrests. Scores of agitated revellers were left with no way of getting home as drivers refused to take passengers. The walkout was sparked when two cabbies were arrested by British Transport Police officers outside Brighton station at about 11pm. They had been queuing at a drop-off point in Queens Road to get on to the station rank when they were told to move from the double yellow lines . One of the drivers, Mick Little, 54, said he was dragged out of his car by the officer and marched into the station for questioning. Mr Little, from Peacehaven, said: “The rank was packed as usual so we were queuing to get in when the officer came over and started telling us to turn around. In that time a space had appeared so I asked why I couldn’t just drive into it. “He said if I didn’t turn around he would arrest me. It was so over the top it was just absurd. “He dragged me out of the car and frogmarched me into the station. I was questioned for an hour and then given a £30 fine for causing an obstruction. “It was only when I came out that I realised everyone had gone on strike in support.” Another cabbie, who saw the incident and began arguing with the officer, was handcuffed and also taken into the station. Other taxi drivers saw what was happening and word of the strike spread on radios and mobile phones. Both the city centre’s main ranks, at the station and in East Street, were blocked by stationary cabs. The stand-off lasted almost two hours before Sussex Police officers persuaded the taxi drivers to go back to work amid fears of escalating violence on the streets from drinkers unable to get home. Last night taxi drivers said too many taxi licences are being issued. At the station rank there are 17 parking spaces to cater for the 400 taxis that have passes. Raj Vasanthen, who has been a cabbie in Brighton for 23 years, said: “This is an ongoing issue. There are too many cabs and too many passes for the station. “It’s not ideal to queue just outside the station but if you turn and drive around for a bit you miss your slot to get into the rank. It’s no surprise something like this has happened.” British Transport Police refused to comment. Are there too many taxis in Brighton and Hove? Have your say below.

Author:	GBC [ Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:05 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Cab strike after Brighton taxi drivers' arrests
brightonbreezy wrote: Angry taxi drivers have criticised police after two cabbies were arrested in a row over parking. I thought Sussex had been a bit quiet of late. brightonbreezy wrote: Brighton city centre was brought to a standstill on Friday night when scores of taxi drivers pulled up at busy ranks and got out of their cars in a two-hour protest at the arrests. Was it? Or is this a Newspaper OTT version? Did your drivers stop Mr BB? I can't see the Brighton PH drivers being interested in a Taxi dispute? brightonbreezy wrote: They had been queuing at a drop-off point in Queens Road to get on to the station rank when they were told to move from the double yellow lines . One of the drivers, Mick Little, 54, said he was dragged out of his car by the officer and marched into the station for questioning. Are you sure it was Mick Little? In my experience Police officers just don't 'grab' someone from their car for no reason, perhaps the officer had told him to move, he had refused / argued back and got himself arrested for obstruction of which has a power of arrest attached to it. If it says No waiting and an obstruction was being caused I'm not sure how the drivers can argue that one. The law's the law, not what's convenient to the taxi trade, the van delivery men, the Buses, the . . . brightonbreezy wrote: “He dragged me out of the car and frogmarched me into the station. I was questioned for an hour and then given a £30 fine for causing an obstruction'' That will be a FPN. Contest it, if your that certain at a Magistrates court, I'm sure Mr BBcan update us with the result. Was he a GMB member? brightonbreezy wrote: Last night taxi drivers said too many taxi licences are being issued. At the station rank there are 17 parking spaces to cater for the 400 taxis that have passes. Raj Vasanthen, who has been a cabbie in Brighton for 23 years, said: “This is an ongoing issue. There are too many cabs and too many passes for the station. I'll leave that for you and Sussex to answer Mr BB!

Author:	Boggins [ Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:18 pm ]
Post subject:
Sums dont add up....A rank of only 17 slots being Chased by 400 Taxis that have passes, that means 383 Taxis to many or 383 rank spots to few. Id find it hard to believe that 17 could satisfy the needs of the place on a busy evening. Having said that if there is 383 Cabs to many to service the same area I fail to see how a single one of them could be profitable as they have a Ratio of 22.5 to 1 of Taxis for each slot and this must be unsustainable..nice touch the other taxi drivers striking though, and for sure the other unarrested 398 Parked up taxis must have been quite an Impressive sight.

Author:	Brummie Cabbie [ Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:00 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Cab strike after Brighton taxi drivers' arrests
brightonbreezy wrote: “It was only when I came out that I realised everyone had gone on strike in support.” Other taxi drivers saw what was happening and word of the strike spread on radios and mobile phones. Both the city centre’s main ranks, at the station and in East Street, were blocked by stationary cabs. The stand-off lasted almost two hours before Sussex Police officers persuaded the taxi drivers to go back to work amid fears of escalating violence on the streets from drinkers unable to get home. Bad, bad, bad move!!! Once the arrested drivers had come out of Die Polizei Hauptquartier, you should have ALL TO A MAN gone home!!! Let Die Polizei sort out the mess that would have happen when there were no cabs about after the clubs & pubs were closed!! They would have had that many people causing havoc, fighting, etc, etc, that their lock-ups would have been overflowing in Die Polizei Hauptquartier. It would have got into the papers the next day & questions would have been asked in high places. The next time a cabbie over-ranked, the police would think twice about over-reacting. Trust me, it worked in Birmingham!!!

Author:	skippy41 [ Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:31 pm ]
Post subject:
It appears that the police person was being a bit of a d#ckhead, it would have been nice to see him being surrounded by all the drivers and then using his handcuffs being cuffed to a nearby lamppost, I do belive this has happened in the past

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Author:	JD [ Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:36 pm ]
Post subject:
If a bobby tells you to move on then it is prudent to move. The police don't like having their authority questioned but to suggest all coppers are angels and always act within the law is a misconception. Regards JD

Author:	Brummie Cabbie [ Wed Jul 23, 2008 2:58 am ]
Post subject:
skippy41 wrote: It appears that the police person was being a bit of a d#ckhead, it would have been nice to see him being surrounded by all the drivers and then using his handcuffs being cuffed to a nearby lamppost, I do belive this has happened in the past It might have happened in the past, but not advisable if you are a licensed driver, especially with all the CCTV in cities now. But it would be funny!

Author:	Sussex [ Fri Jul 25, 2008 3:56 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Cab strike after Brighton taxi drivers' arrests
brightonbreezy wrote: Raj Vasanthen, who has been a cabbie in Brighton for 23 years, said: “This is an ongoing issue. There are too many cabs and too many passes for the station. “It’s not ideal to queue just outside the station but if you turn and drive around for a bit you miss your slot to get into the rank. It’s no surprise something like this has happened.” How getting a plate for nothing changes one's views.

Author:	Sussex [ Wed Aug 06, 2008 7:57 pm ]
Post subject:
A video clip has appeared showing some of the aftermath. http://www.yournews.itvlocal.com/Clip.a ... DE3506B2A7

Author:	Brummie Cabbie [ Wed Aug 06, 2008 8:19 pm ]
Post subject:
Sussex wrote: A video clip has appeared showing some of the aftermath. http://www.yournews.itvlocal.com/Clip.a ... DE3506B2A7 Good to see some Solidarity!!! Now let's start thinking about National Solidarity!!! Or do we need to think about Regional Solidarity first & build it up that way?

Author:	London Jim [ Thu Aug 07, 2008 8:50 pm ]
Post subject:
I'm totally with you on National solidarity. I think the time is right having seen what's been going on all over the country. Wouldn't it be nice to see a National Taxi Drivers Association spring up out of this.

Author:	Sussex [ Thu Aug 07, 2008 10:09 pm ]
Post subject:
London Jim wrote: Wouldn't it be nice to see a National Taxi Drivers Association spring up out of this. Well in the provinces we do have a National Taxi Association, and they have a few good chaps in their mist. But as Forest Gump says, "that's all I want to say about that".

Author:	Brummie Cabbie [ Thu Aug 07, 2008 10:21 pm ]
Post subject:
London Jim wrote: I'm totally with you on National solidarity. I think the time is right having seen what's been going on all over the country. Wouldn't it be nice to see a National Taxi Drivers Association spring up out of this. So when do we have the first National Cab strike then? No point in rushing this though, because it needs organising & that takes time! What date/day does every driver in the country not bother to go to work for 24 hours? Can we count on all Hackney & Private Hire Drivers? If & when it happens, & the press come calling for interviews, who are going to be the trades' spokespersons? What issues are going to be highlighted? Too many & you've lost the plot! Two or three main issues only & the politicians may take notice. Then they may not. And the most important question is ....... Will the owners of this forum allow such a discussion to take place on here? And that is the most important question because of today's laws & not because of any other issues. The last thing we should all want is for them to get their collars' felt!

Author:	Sussex [ Thu Aug 07, 2008 10:27 pm ]
Post subject:
Brummie Cabbie wrote: Can we count on all Hackney & Private Hire Drivers? Yes, but we will have to send the PH separate letters.

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Author:	GBC [ Fri Aug 08, 2008 2:42 am ]
Post subject:
Brummie Cabbie wrote: So when do we have the first National Cab strike then? You won't, it's that simple. Over 100'000 self employed drivers will never bond together, there will never be the same reasons or grievances, and if it ever was organised the travelling public would simply dessert the industry. Only the few less able and elderly folks would be hit, and the press would put the final nail in the coffin. I'll put money on it.