Taxi Driver Online

Group of Wakefield taxi drivers threaten 'disruption' for passengers in strike over new rules

https://www.pontefractandcastlefordexpr ... es-1381202


Image: Pontefract and Castleford Express

A group of taxi drivers are planning strike action over the introduction of a number of new rules for the industry in Wakefield.

The drivers involved say they will stay at home between 6am and 6pm on Monday, February 3 and from 7pm until 9am every day between February 10 and February 17.

The group believes the move will cause disruption, and particularly to the night-time economy, which is more reliant on taxis.

The action is being led by local driver Wajid Ali, who claims around 500 cabbies - around a third of the district's entire fleet - are planning to take part.

The Wakefield and District Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Association (WDPHHA) which represents a large number of drivers and of which Mr Ali is no longer part, is understood to have distanced themselves from the strike.

But Mr Ali said several drivers were aggrieved with a number of new policies introduced by Wakefield Council, which some have suggested will make trading harder.

Among the policies is the introduction of stickers on licensed vehicles and a move designed to encourage taxi drivers to buy expensive electric cars.

The council has defended the way it legislates the industry, saying it has taken action in the name of public safety.

But Mr Ali said: "What we're going to do will cause disruption to the travelling public. We don’t want that to happen, but feel we have no choice."

"We’re going to stay home and we won’t be taking calls. We're deadly serious.

"As much as the council might like to think they’ve got everything in place, they’re not listening."

Mr Ali said the council's new policy on stickers was unnecessary because drivers already have licensing stickers on their front and back windscreens.

The idea has also drawn criticism from WDPHHA, who said it may lead to attacks on drivers - an issue that has led to recent protests by drivers in Leeds.

Mr Ali also claimed that the push towards electric vehicles was a move that contradicted another rule, as some electric vehicles have tinted windows, which taxi drivers in Wakefield are not allowed to have.

Although local authorities across West Yorkshire have been trying to tighten legislation so that they have something close to a blanket set of rules, Mr Ali said that drivers are "not being listened to".

Glynn Humphries, Wakefield Council’s service director for environment, said: "We are committed to working with drivers and championing passenger safety on behalf of residents.

"We regularly meet with the Wakefield and District Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Association, who represent the majority of drivers in the district, and understand that they have no plans to strike.

"We are aware that a new group is proposing strike action and we will continue to work with the Association to help mitigate any impact this may have.”

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Can't see it having much impact.

Probably just a minority will strike, and quiet time of year, so probably just more work for non-strikers rather than disrupting public.

And it's the offices that take the calls, not the strikers, and I doubt the offices will support the strike

you are assuming that the Hackneys are attached to offices

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Taxis Are Public Transport too

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At a rough guess I suspect most are.

And I strongly suspect the offices there are mixed fleet.

And Mr Ali's past organisation represented both HC and PH, and from the article it looks like the strike is intended to encompass both.

And Mr Ali specifically said "we won't be taking calls", which is the responsibility of the despatch offices, which I suspect won't be supportive.

No specific mention of public hire work. I don't doubt the strike *will* have some impact on the ranks, but for the reasons stated earlier, I suspect that will be minimal

Strikes don't work, as some drivers need to work to pay the bills.

What works is driving around and around the council offices at rush hour.

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IDFIMH

Who'd have expected this?


Wakefield taxi drivers call off strike action

https://www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/news ... 1-10248453

Proposed strike action by a group of taxi drivers, which was due to take place throughout this week, has been called off.

A cohort of drivers calling themselves Wakefield United had planned to stay at home between 7pm and 9am every night this week, after falling out with the local council over a number of licensing rules.

The move threatened to cause disruption for parents who rely on taxis to get their children to school, and for Wakefield's night-time economy.

But taxi driver Wajid Ali, who was leading the proposed strike, said he'd postponed action after he was offered a meeting with council leader Denise Jeffery and the leader of the Conservative opposition.

Among drivers' grievances is a recent council ruling for all private hire vehicles to have licensing stickers on the front and back of their cars.

They've also opposed a policy designed to encourage cabbies to buy electric vehicles, which they say are too expensive and contradict other rules banning taxis from having tinted windows.

But Mr Ali said: "Despite trying to discuss matters with the licensing department to no avail earlier (last) week, there has been some developments in talks with councillors who are proposing to help in the matter.

"I have a meeting arranged with the leader of the council, Denise Jeffery, the leader of the Conservative Party, Councillor Ahmed, and other senior delegates.

"Therefore in view of this, the proposed strikes have been postponed until further notice."

It's understood no date has yet been arranged for the meetings.

Some drivers did stay at home last Monday in protest at council policy, but this week's proposed action had been expected to cause more problems for the travelling public.

The Wakefield and District Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Association, which represents a large number of local cabbies, had distanced themselves from the strike, however.

Wakefield United 1 Wakefield Council 1


And maybe hardly anyone noticed last week's protest, hence the climbdown, dressed up as progress?

If you are a leader/rep of the local cab trade you shouldn't need to make a strike threat to get meetings with senior councillors.

You just turn up at their doors/surgeries.

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IDFIMH