City cabbies in threat to strike
http://www.mk-news.co.uk/mknews/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=400853
Nearly 700 taxi drivers have signed a petition threatening action because they are fighting for trade with 'outsiders'.
Both the Private Hire Association and Hackney Carriage Association have presented a petition of 400 signatures - promising 300 more to come - to the council's regulatory committee against there being too many taxis on the roads of Milton Keynes.
Their specific qualm is drivers from other authorities, namely those licensed by South Northants Council, operating in the city.
The Hackney Carriage Association also asks that no more new licences are given out, after seeing an increase in drivers by 20 per cent in 18 months.
Combined with the downturn, Asif Mohammed, chair of the Private Hire Association, said this excess of drivers means their livelihoods have been doubly hit.
And Mohammed Nawaz, chair of the Hackney Carriage Association, said they cannot rule out protests or strike action if nothing is done with 28 days.
Mr Mohammed said: "We've had enough of outsiders taking our work. Revenue's gone down, our livelihoods affected. At the end of the day we pay Milton Keynes Council. We're licensed by them. Our trade should be looked after. The recession had done quite a bit of damage. So we are struggling for two reasons. Each driver is losing about £150 a week."
Mr Nawaz added: "We need to the council to be tougher. With the recession it's very difficult for us to make a living. We are just doing what our members want us to do. If things don't work out, we can't rule out strike action."
Steven Shuttleworth, director of service delivery at South Northamptonshire Council, said: "We want to reassure taxi traders and the public that it is legal for any private hire vehicle which is licensed by South Northamptonshire Council to drive anywhere outside of the district, just as taxi drivers licensed by other councils can trade in South Northamptonshire.
"If we find drivers acting outside the terms of their licence, we will always ensure that the appropriate action is taken.
"Currently, there are a number of prosecutions pending against drivers licensed by both South Northamptonshire Council and Milton Keynes Council for plying for hire and operating with no insurance."
A spokesman for Milton Keynes Council said: "We regularly carry out operations to catch cab drivers unlawfully plying for hire in Milton Keynes, as this is not only illegal but also potentially dangerous to cab customers, and we almost always publicise this through the local media."
Discussion of the petition is on the agenda for tonight's regulatory committee at the Civic Offices
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