wannabeeahack wrote:
brightonbreezy wrote:
wannabeeahack wrote:
brightonbreezy wrote:
Good Guess!
Sir, can you explain why there is any "Union" involved with the taxi trade when 99% are owner drivers with absolutely no claim or desire to be seen as your typical "trade unionists"? or is it just cynical seeking of funds? (given so many industries have crumbled - some with the undeniable help of trade union involvement thereby losing many members?)
Dear Mr Wannabeeahack,
Please do not call me Sir, Mick or BB or even Mr BB, Save the Sirs of the world for the unelected 50% of our government that sit in the House of Lords.
So I can answer your question perhaps you can inform me what you consider a ‘Typical Trade Unionist’? Perhaps so I can give your words credence you can also inform me when you sought the opinion of the 99% of the trade you quote?
Regards
BB
I was being polite
But, in reply, surely the taxi driving owner driver is the very anti-thesis of the "brother" (in arms) "typical" trade union member (id label taxi owners as basically capitalist and trade union members as socialist verging on communist), This where i struggle to follow any major trade unions involvement with the taxi trade.
I can quite understand groups of like-minded individuals (and they dont come much more individual than taxi owner drivers when hunting thier wonga quite willing to do shaft another cabbie or firm) forming associations but i cannot fathom how a union (in the accepted sense) could be of any use, or would even wish to be aligned with such a capatilist congregation like taxi owners.
when i say "typical trade union members" i refer to the generally held concept, i.e. railways, car factories, pits, steel factories, shipyards, well, those that still exist
or did new labour take in capitilism in its all-welcoming (AKA vote hunting) PR re-launch for Blair (who kept the unions on a tight leash, something in his favour at least, though they now seem to consider themselves released of course)
I fear your labelling of individuals and groups quite clearly demonstrates your willingness to make assumptions without any evidence. I would therefore say that your opinions are quite clear but is the reality the same?
Evidence shows that large numbers of Taxi Proprietors belong to a Trade Union. They belong to a Trade Union for support Politically, Legally and financially. They also belong to a Trade Union as they see the concept of Unity and common bond.
I would say that many drivers have your opinions but would state that opinions such as yours and the apathy such opinions create has led the trade to where it is today. So are Taxi Drivers working class? Or are Taxi Drivers middle class? Or even Upper Class!
I believe that we are working class, drivers work long hours with rules and regulations that control our industry decided by Politicians both locally and nationally.
You also claim that many Taxi Drivers are a capitalist’s, here is a definition of Capitalism, ‘Capitalism is an economic system in which the means of production are privately owned and operated for a private profit; decisions regarding supply, demand, price, distribution, and investments are made by private actors in the free market; profit is distributed to owners who invest in businesses, and wages are paid to workers employed by businesses and companies’
I’m sorry but I don’t see the link between Taxi Proprietors and Capitalism. I fear that you and many like you convince yourselves that you are capitalists, but in reality I fear you are victims of an elaborate con by governments which stops you realising the true issues which affect our industry, which stops us all uniting to improve our working conditions and lives.
Regards
BB
_________________
Mick Hildreth (07814 032002)
GMB PDB P39 Southern Region Branch Secretary
mick.hildreth@gmbtaxis.org.uk
www.gmbpdb.org.uk
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