Taxi Driver Online

Taxi drivers: We'll strike

TAXI drivers in Chelmsford are threatening to go on strike over claims their livelihood is being put under threat. The action would be timed to coincide with periods where it would cause the most disruption – namely weekend evenings.

Members of the Chelmsford Taxi Association (CTA) have joined forces with the professional drivers’ branch of the GMB trade union amid accusations Chelmsford Council is ignoring them. But the council has hit back, saying that while it is sympathetic to the drivers’ plight, it is powerless to help.

The association, and their trade union colleagues, believe there are too many taxi drivers across Chelmsford and if more licences are given out, they could all become bankrupt.

Terence Flanagan, GMB organiser of the professional drivers’ branch, said: “Chelmsford seems to be one of the very worst for conditions. “Many of the drivers are reaching final demands on mortgages. “They are going out for 12 hours and earning £40 and, with expenses, it is like going to work for a fiver. But the council won’t listen.”

One of the biggest complaints is the lack of an un-met demands survey for the area, which works out the number of fares being ordered in the town and therefore the number of taxi drivers needed.

Members of the CTA have also accused councillors of ignoring several invitations to discuss the problem. But they want to give the council one last chance to meet with them.

Mr Flanagan said: “GMB calls on the council to immediately open talks and save the public from the inevitable consequences of these misguided and destructive policies. “The council should consider the scenario of a busy Saturday night in Chelmsford. “If there was no taxi service, we all know what the likely response will be of several thousand revellers unable to get home.”

But Chelmsford Council has said it cannot help. Cllr Ian Grundy, who is responsible for safer communities on the council, said: “While I understand the problems faced by drivers in these difficult economic times, the council has no legal authority to regulate the number of licensed taxis to help protect the income of current taxi drivers.

“This has been clarified by the Government, which have advised that no local authority has the right to protect the business interests of licensed taxi drivers in this way.

“We have been working with the taxi drivers to try to address some of their concerns and, as a result, have introduced a new knowledge test for drivers, taxi marshals, and are progressing proposals to use part of the bus station as a new taxi rank during the evening.”

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IDFIMH

You go for it Terry.

Right in the heart of the Tory heartlands.

Some might say that knowledge tests will become obsolete with the advent of satnav in most vehicles. Can't see what the marshals are for if there isn't enough passengers in the first place and with regard to the bus station, is that somewhere for drivers to park and kip cos there are too many drivers out for the available work

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

While I'm all for strikes to get the trade better all the drivers have to strike, there's no use 100 out of 200 striking for the cause while all the others are creaming it in.

It's rare if not impossible to get the whole trade to back anything

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

About as rare as hens teeth. There's always the same drivers who think bollox I'll work and cream it while the others fight for my rights.

Can't go anywhere if they have 4 flat tyres

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

There is that to it.