Taxi Driver Online

Taxi drivers set to strike


TAXI drivers could go on strike in their hundreds during peak weekend times, leaving countless locals stranded after nights out.

Drivers of Inverclyde Taxis are currently considering a ballot on industrial action which, if voted in favour of, would see them pull their services on one random weekday and in the early hours of a Saturday or Sunday morning.

The proposed action is part of an ongoing dispute between drivers and Inverclyde Council about the timing of when safety spot checks are carried out on their vehicles.

Inverclyde Taxis has around 300 cars and in excess of 1,500 drivers on its books.

Cabbies are up in arms at the inspections which they claim are more frequently happening on busy Friday nights and hitting operators hard in the pocket.

Any faults detected by inspection teams mean taxis are immediately put off the road and must be repaired, re-tested and given the green light before they can resume service.

Drivers say they are not opposed to the safety checks but claim the council is forcing vehicles off the road for 'minor' faults.

They claim the timing of checks mean cars are out of action for several days resulting in a severe loss of earnings for drivers coupled with extra repair and MOT costs. The dispute was re-ignited following checks one Friday last month when a number of cars were put off the road to the outrage of drivers.

A statement on the ballot paper reads: "It appears that these exercises are timed to cause the maximum damage to people's livelihoods during these testing times.

"As well as losing hundreds of pounds in earnings, those operators who were put off the road are now faced with paying £135 to have their car tested and a further £57.50 should any additional faults be detected.

"It has been put to us that the best or only way to ensure public awareness of what is happening is to remove our services between 8am and 10am on a random weekday and midnight and 3am in the early hours of Saturday and Sunday."

One driver, who did not want to be named, added: "The council are putting drivers off the road for the slightest little things.

"And it's happening at peak times so you then lose your busy days because if they put you off the road you need to get a re-test but there's nowhere open for days."

But the ballot statement added: "We must stress, however, that this will be a last resort and only considered if council officials refuse to hold sensible discussions with the trade in an endeavour to resolve this unreasonable situation."

The Tele understands negotiations are still ongoing between drivers and the council over various issues including spot checks and rising costs.

Inverclyde Taxis declined to comment on the matter.

A spokesperson for Inverclyde Council said: "The majority of the council's enforcement activity is carried out Monday to Friday, however, on occasion, in conjunction with the police (and occasionally additional external agencies), spot checks may be carried out at the weekend when there is a greater number of people using taxis.

"On Friday 8 June safety checks were carried out on 33 vehicles. Twelve vehicles had minor defects, but were allowed to continue to operate on the condition that they attended the test station later in the week to demonstrate that these defects had been rectified. Two vehicles had major safety defects which could not be rectified at the roadside and were consequently taken off the road."

The spokesperson added: "Passenger safety is of paramount importance and in cases where serious faults are found or safety related items are missing, licences are suspended.

"With the exception of obligatory changes to address technological advances in vehicle design, the test criteria within Inverclyde has remained unchanged for a number of years, and is well-known to all taxi operators.

"Senior council officers recently met with representatives of local taxi firms to discuss issues surrounding the taxi tests. The meeting was a positive one, with both parties agreeing to work together to address ongoing areas of concern."

A spokesperson for the police added: "Strathclyde Police are committed to ensuring that thorough and appropriate checks are made by the force before issuing a licence."

source: http://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/news ... to-strike/

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

That almost sounds like a threat..besides is.nt it the LA that issues a licence?

That almost sounds like a threat..besides isn't it the LA that issues a licence?

The reason for weekend checks is because that is when the majority of cars are out.
I don't know about Scotland but in England and Wales Bill Bowling of the NLcA used to tell us that taxis and private hire vehicle and drivers could demand a 48 hour deferment from these inspections. I am not sure what part of the law this relates to but I do remember using this a few years ago when one of my cars was stopped and asked to go to the 10.00 PM inspection. The car was just about to take some passengers to Heathrow. I was given a form to present the car within 48 hours to one of the council test stations. I think I had to then pay for the inspection.

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Grandad,

I don't suppose it has anything to do with the fact that when you work for the local council it is very difficult to get overtime... but if you stage a safety operation on the weekend they get paid... very generously to.

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

I'm sure that ours get time off in lieu.

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Grandad,

MR. T. are you feeling alright? That sounds exactly like something, council employees would do? Abusing the system to their advantage, one might say.

I'm starting to think. You've grown a backbone, when I wasn't looking?

Is this, the end of "Uncle" Trevor Jones? Don't tell me, you've seen the light?

he's a scouser they'd rather strike than work

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

I thought it was too good to be true...

We had a tumshie chief constable, cfew who wasn't. You might remember him, the laughing boy was the one with the bright idea to have a single division in the city and we all got to witness cop cars whizzing from one end of the city to the other, placing all at us at risk from manic cop drivers.

Can't remember his name, but he was the one before the current incumbent and had the distinction of not being knighted for his efforts, one of the few not to be so.

Anyway this bright boy decided to stop and search taxis while engaged. Cabforce, remember them, well they complained and the practice was stopped. On the premise that applying taxi legislation is not entitled to stop folks going about their lawful business. The
consequence of search cabs with passengers on b oard means that cops are hindering the general public. And that is the action of a police state. That what we want?

So, in Edinburgh, you'll find that our cops only check passengerless hire cars.

Now, I happen to agree with this. If your car aint up to it it shouldn't be on the road end of. And we all know that owners can become shy about fixing cars to the required standard.

Like the bozo who I drove for who wouldn't repair his vehicle. Yet the Law says he can have a licence while I can't. How fair is that?

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Skull, "You are a police inspector, aren't you?"
Cab Inspector Smith, "Yes."
Skull, "So, are you going to tell Mr Taylor what his rights are?"
Smith, "And ... What rights?"

Skull..The difference between me and you..... is that I don't like losing... and you simply take it for granted....

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

No Trevor, the difference between you and me is, I don't like kissing people on the arse and apologising for my existence, that makes you an “Uncle Tom.” As for winning, you've been kissing ass for so long, I doubt you would know the difference.

we've been getting on great too.....then you mention 'uncle tom' ffs, that makes you racist unless you been there and know that, how the f*ck dare you.

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

What's the matter Gary..... the medication wearing off...... your all mouth..... remember letting your licence expire..... rather than standing up.... they had no authority over you once you let it expire.... so you didn't have to answer their questions..... you ran ... didn't you.....

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

Trevor Jones, is a slave who is loyal to his master. Why shouldn't I call him an Uncle Tom?

You can call me, what the fu*k you like, if you think that makes me a racist, then so be it. Trust me, you are confusing me, with someone who gives a fu*k.