Brighton Argus version of this storyThe GMB union is set to launch protests across the country tomorrow (May 23) in a bid to protect local taxi and private hire firms. Demos are set to take place in Brighton, Leeds, London and the M25 area, York, Manchester, Trafford, Rochdale, and Cardiff.
The union said the demonstrations are in anger at the saturation of private hire taxis and out of town minicabs plying for hire in towns and cities where they are not licensed - with some authorities, 'dishing out licenses like sweeties’. The problem heightens at the weekends, according to the unions, with small local drivers being 'forced out of business'.
The GMB said earnings have been cut to such an extent that drivers are being forced to work longer hours to scrape by, with many plying for hire in areas where they are not licensed. Many now earn below the national minimum wage, the union said.
GMB is concerned that global companies have an advantage over local drivers who it says are 'an asset to local economies'.
Mick Rix, GMB National Officer for the Taxi and Professional Drivers Trades, said: “The vast majority of drivers in the trades of both taxi and minicabs are professional drivers, and operate strictly in accordance with their licensing requirements. "However because of the huge surge in licences being issued there is now over capacity, where drivers are being encouraged by their operators to work hundreds of miles from where they are licensed. There is no national database for drivers, operators or enforcement officers.
"Unfortunately the government does not recognise there is a problem, which in the main is of their making.” GMB is campaigning for changes to national legislation to protect local licensed drivers, including: protect local taxis and minicab services; stop out of town working and cross border working; stop illegal touting and false 'ply for hire'; create a national database for operators, drivers, enforcement officers; enforcement officers to be given the power to enforce "out of town" drivers.
A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesperson said: "We are legally obliged to act within national legislation while being fair to all operators. "National rules mean that is not an offence for out of city drivers to operate here, providing the operator, vehicle and driver are all licenced in the same area. "However, it is an offence for vehicles other than vehicles licensed as Hackney Carriages to park on a taxi rank.
"Where we have had complaints about drivers doing this we have dealt with them in accordance with our enforcement policy, with warning letters in the first instance making clear that further breaches may result in further enforcement action.
"We have asked the local taxi trade to identify those ranks where this is a particular problem so we can target proactive enforcement action. "It is perfectly legal for someone to order a licensed taxi from anywhere in the country, regardless of where that taxi is licensed – as long as that taxi is correctly licensed. "Granting operating licences here means we can maintain the high standards for drivers using the Brighton & Hove private hire operator’s licence, by ensuring they meet the requirements of our local regulations. "We are continuing to review our enforcement options and are also working with other local authorities on possible joint authorisations, subject to national legislation."
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