Taxi Driver Online

Taxi drivers threaten strike action over cab numbers

TAXI drivers are threatening to go on strike unless Basildon Council takes action.

Cabbies complained the council is failing to listen to their pleas for a limit on the number of licensed drivers in the district.

They claim the rising numbers of cabs operating in the area is forcing them to work much longer hours to earn a living.

Since the council lifted the limit on licensed drivers, the number of Hackney carriages has more than doubled, from 106 in 2005, up to 250 in 2010.

Now members of the GMB union said they will consider strike action, demonstrations and other industrial action if the council refuses to impose a cap on the number of drivers.

The announcement comes after the council decided to undertake a scrutiny of working conditions for cabbies last month, rather than carry out a survey of taxi usage, which the drivers had wanted.

Terry Flanagan, branch secretary of the GMB’s professional drivers branch, said he called on Basildon Council leader Tony Ball to hold talks with drivers to avoid the industrial action.

He said: “I call upon the council leader to initiate talks immediately, to save the voters from what seems inevitable transport chaos.”

Mr Ball said: “Nobody has contacted me on this issue.

“But if the taxi drivers want to arrange a meeting, I would be more than happy to attend.”

source: http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/4888513 ... b_numbers/

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