Metro minicab drivers threaten strike action again over fare rise row


BOLTON minicab drivers are again threatening to strike in a long-running fares dispute with Metro Cars.

Up to 500 private hire drivers could go on strike next month if a plan to raise fares is not implemented.

Self-employed drivers with Bolton’s biggest private hire firm, Metro, have been involved in a disagreement over fares since May.

A potential bank holiday weekend strike was called off after talks but now Bolton Private Hire Association says action could be taken in September.

Drivers were called to a function with Metro at the Excellency banqueting venue in Bolton town centre yesterday evening, Tonge Moor-based Metro is owned by Nick Astley who was unavailable for comment yesterday afternoon.

Metro spokesman Jimmy Chadat said the firm believed other parts of May’s agreement had not been met, such as drivers approaching other firms about their fares.

But he declined to comment further, saying that Metro wanted to speak directly to drivers at the Excellency before making any public comments.


source: http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/106 ... _rise_row/

Metro minicab drivers threaten strike action again over fare rise row


BOLTON minicab drivers are again threatening to strike in a long-running fares dispute with Metro Cars.

Up to 500 private hire drivers could go on strike next month if a plan to raise fares is not implemented.

Self-employed drivers with Bolton’s biggest private hire firm, Metro, have been involved in a disagreement over fares since May.

A potential bank holiday weekend strike was called off after talks but now Bolton Private Hire Association says action could be taken in September.

Drivers were called to a function with Metro at the Excellency banqueting venue in Bolton town centre yesterday evening, Tonge Moor-based Metro is owned by Nick Astley who was unavailable for comment yesterday afternoon.

Metro spokesman Jimmy Chadat said the firm believed other parts of May’s agreement had not been met, such as drivers approaching other firms about their fares.

But he declined to comment further, saying that Metro wanted to speak directly to drivers at the Excellency before making any public comments.


source: http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/106 ... _rise_row/

Even with a fare increase they're still low rates, unless of course they have so much work there is no dead mileage and drivers pop on job after job

Its reasonably obvious the drivers don't want to put their body and soul into the company, the owner thought theyd be together forever, but the drivers made a cry for help and if you looked at it from a customers position, they were never gonna give you up.

I'd be embarrassed to admit I know so many lines from his songs

Or even a computer with a search engine called 'google' and a few keys writing rick astley hits

Aye that's what you're telling us now, but, you are known for your strange taste in 'music'

But the deal appears to have come at a price as the meeting was told that two Metro drivers, who were union members were forced to return their Metro radios — meaning they can no longer drive for the firm as part of the agreement.

That's nice, the lads who got the rise are told by the bosses to f*** off and the lads who will benefit are allowing that to happen.