Taxi Driver Online

'No More Violence'; Warning to Cab Drivers as 36-hour Strike is Set to Bite - But Some Halifax Taxi Drivers Still in Fear

1st August 2008

Private hire firms have been warned this Saturday's strikes must not see a re-run of the violence that plagued last weekend's protest.

And hackney carriage drivers say they will take their cars off the road if they are put in danger by vicious attacks again.

The strike in Halifax last Saturday night came after private-hire companies were angered at what they claim are rising costs and increased red tape.

Hackney carriage drivers reported abuse, intimidation, missiles being hurled at their cars and being followed by striking taxis.

Abid Bashir, a hackney carriage driver, said: "People were hiding at the side of the road and throwing bricks.

"Everyone is talking about it. They are all afraid. Someone could get killed if a brick comes through the windscreen and hits them."

Paul Blakey, of the Street Angels, said taxis from Leeds, Huddersfield and Bradford refused to pick people up from the town centre.

"They said we’re getting attacked, getting things thrown at them on the way in.

"In town there were private cars driving around jeering at people waiting in the taxi queue. It made it very unpleasant for people."

Stephen Smithies, secretary of the Hackney Carriage Association, said the windscreens of six vehicles were damaged.

"We will begin working on Saturday but if the violence begins again drivers will not put their lives and vehicles in danger. They will take their vehicles off the road."

Sultan Mahmood, Calderdale Private Hire Association secretary, said: "We didn't want this strike. It was a last resort.

"We have said to our guys that this is a non-violent protest."

He added that he made it clear to striking private-hire drivers that any troublemakers should stay at home.

Sarah Richardson, Calderdale Council's registration and licensing services manager, said the council received complaints about six different private-hire firms and sent letters inviting those companies to a meeting to discuss the allegations.

The letters state: "The council will take any action deemed necessary and will not hesitate in suspending or subsequently revoking any licence."

Zahour Ahmed, a partner at Ziggy's, King Cross, Halifax, said he did not attend the suggested meeting: "It was chaos on Saturday but we shut up shop all night. We were not involved in any violence."

Mrs Richardson said: "I have spoken to five of the six either at the arranged meeting, to re-arrange or discuss the concerns over the phone."

Chf Supt Ian Levitt said: "I respect anybody's right to peaceful demonstrations but criminal damage will not be tolerated.

"We will continue to monitor the situation and maintain a high-visibility presence throughout the area to ensure it remains a peaceful protest.

"Anyone found breaking the law, will be prosecuted."

Saturday's strike starts at 6pm and lasts for 36 hours.

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Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
But please, do have some decorum,
When debating on the TDO Forum.

Hi I am a London Taxi Driver and have been an onlooker for some time. This is my first letter.
I think what we are seeing here in Halifax could suddenly break out in London on a massive scale. Simply because of the very poor administration from TFL. Also the Union and LTDA dont seem interested in whats happening on the streets.
Yesterday saw the start of new laws, 1 strike and your out. I think this is going to start the ball rolling. As drivers are banned we will start to see more violence.
Kind regards to you all,
Be Lucky as we say down south.

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http://www.fleetway.ca/samples/cab.swf

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=SF5ep04izcQ

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2KDLd4gJ ... re=related

How do you work that one out?

Why would 40'000 Minicab drivers all come on strike together?

Apart from a handfull of GMB members, they don't even have a representative body? Who would arrange it? . . . and over what?

Needless to say I'd welcome a Minicab strike with open arms, and be sure to hoot my support every time I passed a 'picket line'

I can say with a good deal of certainty, It ain't gonna happen, the big companies are at each others throats as it is, never mind one or two taking their fleets off the road.

wasnt talking about a strike!
I was talking about the violence between the Private cars and the taxi's!

_________________
http://www.fleetway.ca/samples/cab.swf

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=SF5ep04izcQ

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2KDLd4gJ ... re=related

Well Minicabs have been on the streets since 1963 with the inception of the Welbeck Motor company and their fleet of Renault Daphines.

I think a 'war' may have broken out before now if it were going to happen.

No Mate! we all know the history of mini cabs!
I was talking about Licensed Private Hire. we have only had them in London for three years. I don't know where you work or who you speak to, but the consensus of opinion on the ranks is that as the Unions and associations have done sod all to protect us from this band of pirates, we should take it upon ourselves to protect our work and take it back by whatever means possible. Especially in the city and west end. Its insulting to see traffic wardens walking pass lines of mini cabs doing nothing and then giving black cabs tickets for stopping at Cash Machines.
I read in another place on this site that we are seeing the onslaught of a one tiered system. Well thats fine by me, make all the PHV drivers do the knowledge and then give them the chose what they drive.
The driver from Birmingham is dead right.
Otherwise will disappear up our own exhaust pipes.
Monday till friday is now become a joke with the touts. They even stop when hailed now. Its time to show them we got bottle.

_________________
http://www.fleetway.ca/samples/cab.swf

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=SF5ep04izcQ

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2KDLd4gJ ... re=related

From my outsiders point of view the only war I'm seeing is one between London black cab drivers and London black cab drivers.

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IDFIMH

Keep Boris to his 'one tout and your out' policy.

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IDFIMH

well said jimbo,

Don't you mean Jimb0?

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IDFIMH

Sorry for the confusion I will change my username as soon as someone tells me how!

_________________
http://www.fleetway.ca/samples/cab.swf

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=SF5ep04izcQ

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2KDLd4gJ ... re=related

The policy is only words if the wardens, the old bill and TFL dont start enforcing it.
I know some people are going to moan that black cabs are going to be nicked as well, but sobeit. He who lives by the sword, as they say.

_________________
http://www.fleetway.ca/samples/cab.swf

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=SF5ep04izcQ

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2KDLd4gJ ... re=related

Can I just point out that this isn't me. At least I don't think it is me. It could be I suppose, but Now I'm not sure. Help?

Two Jimbo's Skippy, that thought should get you hopping.

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Former taxi driver

I agree, but if he doesn't get his staff to address his concerns then I suspect many cab drivers will be reminding him.

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IDFIMH

Oh I see what's happened, Andersonshelter aka Thomas the taxi aka Jimb0 is back trying to start another arguement.

I'll leave you too it Mr A.

Enjoy.