Taxi Driver Online :: View topic - An open invitation from the GMB

we accept that previous policies and activities of the trade union movement within these industries might not in the past have been deemed best practice

I met with the T&G. they were extremely interested in the project but due to their commitment to the Black Cab trade in London they were unable to do business with us

Quote:

I met with the T&G. they were extremely interested in the project but due to their commitment to the Black Cab trade in London they were unable to do business with us

Wasn't the T&G trying to recruit PH drivers a couple of years ago for a new PH section?

These are just a few of the issues we believe there should be a national policy on, we think in the main the London regulations represent best practice but to get these national policies we need a national negotiating body

Wasn't there supposed to be a knowledge test, but it's never been implemented?

The London LPH GMB union could be a real force if more drivers joined.

Ollie

If you join, that'll make 23 of you.

greenbadgecabby wrote:

If you join, that'll make 23 of you.

Far be it for me to defend any unions activities, but the London PH boys seem to be getting most of what they want. :wink:

I very much doubt that will get everything within the first few years of being licensed. But in time they will.

Take PH signage, even I would have classed that as a no-hope, but the vibes are pointing to it being allowed. And when that happens, bus lane access will follow.

All that in a few years, just think of the power they will have in twenty. :wink:

Besides, in 20 years I'll be long gone, ask me then what I think from my boat in the middle of Malmsjon! :wink:

Besides, in 20 years I'll be long gone, ask me then what I think from my boat in the middle of Malmsjon! :wink:

Author:	Alex [ Fri Jan 06, 2006 7:35 pm ]
Post subject:	An open invitation from the GMB
Terence Flanagan Branch Sec: GMB. Professional Drivers Branch Column 07958 275 339 Well here we go, start of another new year, and may I wish you all a happy new year. Glad to see the column in www.Press Cuttings Monthly.co.uk at last creating some debate so lets be brutally honest, when we were 1st asked to write this column it was on the basis of our success in London. Initially I was involved in setting up a drivers association unconnected with any trade union, through my political contacts I was able to build this association into the political arena, which enabled us to sit on the trade committee at the Public Carriage Office ( PCO ) and meet with various councillors, however it soon became apparent that we lacked the resources to enable us to recruit and lobby successfully, so with letters of recommendation from my previous union the GPMU. ( a print union ) I met with the T&G. they were extremely interested in the project but due to their commitment to the Black Cab trade in London they were unable to do business with us. So off we went to the GMB. who immediately saw the prospects and took us onboard. Initially our aims were the Private Hire industry solely in London, but it soon became obvious that chauffeurs, couriers, hackney carriage outside London all wished to become involved, so we have been taking them all into membership, who were we to deny fellow workers access to our vast range of fringe benefits ? So yes our expertise is mainly centred in London, we are the union that obtained exemption from the London Congestion Charge, we have also saved drivers licences through court action, free to the member, against the PCO, and are lobbying on the issues of bus lane access, and parity with the Black Cabs on red routes on setting down and picking up. We are the only recognised trade union representing the Private Hire Trade in London, and indeed are very successful at it. The licensing regime within London is still at the formulative stage and the unions contribution to this the biggest licensing operation in the world, we believe represents what could be regarded as best practice particularly on vehicle requirements, testing, liveries, etc: it should also be borne in mind that we have recently within London and hopefully nationwide solved the Insulin injecting Diabetes problem, drivers in London who can pass the C1 licence medical will now be issued with a PHV. Licence, as against the previous blanket ban on them. To take this scenario across the nation is a huge task, and yet we are criticised for previous actions by for one the T&G. who we have NO connection with except for TUC affiliation, we are also taken to task about a statement allegedly made by a GMB official in Manchester which I have no knowledge of. To take this further we need to look at the industries ie: hackney as well as private hire and chauffeur, and what we find is unrepresented drivers dealing with in excess of 200 separate licensing regimes many of which operate ambiguous regulations which leads to in effect chaos, what is legal in B is illegal in A, so how do we deal with these anomalies we would say organise with a national organisation which has political, financial, and organisational clout, ie: the GMB. When we look at driver associations we find organisations lacking resources who despite the best will in the world are normally ineffective, we in the GMB can access government directly, I have and will be meeting government ministers on issues relating to our industries, we can and do access local authorities and ensure driver representation on all relevant committees. Some driver associations have dubious practices, we are taking a legal opinion on the operation of a driver association in the midlands which charges £300 a year membership and insists it has the right to bar non members from ranks within its area, this appears to us to be illegal. This association cannot of course compete in any way with the fringe benefits, political clout etc: available within the GMB. But who else could afford to get this legal opinion and take on the case if needs be ? Example, a judicial review often read about in the press can cost in the region of £25,000. We accept that most driver assc. are formed with the best intentions and the people concerned are dedicated and should be congratulated on their efforts, but what is coming now are a whole host of problems which these assc. will be unable to deal with. Lets list some, do we need 200 licensing regimes or would 10 be better ? I don’t know, but you must all have an opinion, so how do we deal with, ROAD PRICING AMBIGUOUS MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS AMBIGUOUS CAR REQUIREMENTS POLLUTING VEHICLES ( FUEL CELL TO COME ! ) EUROPEAN WORKING TIME REGULATIONS BUS LANE AND RED ROUTE REGULATIONS These are just a few of the issues we believe there should be a national policy on, we think in the main the London regulations represent best practice but to get these national policies we need a national negotiating body, ie: the GMB, if you are unhappy with previous policies espoused by the GMB join and change those policies, we know we do not have all the answers, our critics should take the organisation available to them and ensure it follows the right course, in effect very few GMB members pay any contributions because the fringe benefits come to more than the yearly contributions to the union if a member avails their self of the benefits. We offer an open invite, let all interested parties meet anywhere in the country, the GMB will supply the venue and facilities, we accept that previous policies and activities of the trade union movement within these industries might not in the past have been deemed best practice, but the GMB is now under significantly different leadership our branch we believe has proved extremely beneficial to the whole industry in London. All across the country are GMB regions who will be instructed to recruit within the industry, over that will be a national and indeed international body that will ensure no ambiguity and best practice across the country. So there’s the invite come and join us, this huge and willing organisation awaits your guidance. T. P. Flanagan Branch Sec: GMBPDB

Author:	Sussex [ Fri Jan 06, 2006 7:50 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: An open invitation from the GMB
Alex wrote: we accept that previous policies and activities of the trade union movement within these industries might not in the past have been deemed best practice How refreshing, and how correct. I wish Mr Flannagan and the GMB well in their quest.

Author:	Ollie [ Fri Jan 06, 2006 10:36 pm ]
Post subject:
The London LPH GMB union could be a real force if more drivers joined. Maybe they could invite some of the ex-minicabs drivers that are now driving black cabs into the party. Ollie

Author:	TDO [ Sat Jan 07, 2006 5:33 am ]
Post subject:
Quote: I met with the T&G. they were extremely interested in the project but due to their commitment to the Black Cab trade in London they were unable to do business with us Wasn't the T&G trying to recruit PH drivers a couple of years ago for a new PH section?

Author:	Sussex [ Sat Jan 07, 2006 8:08 am ]
Post subject:
TDO wrote: Quote: I met with the T&G. they were extremely interested in the project but due to their commitment to the Black Cab trade in London they were unable to do business with us Wasn't the T&G trying to recruit PH drivers a couple of years ago for a new PH section? Well the T&G say nice things about PH, but when it comes to the crunch the few vested interests at the top of the national T&G tree make sure that the T&G are as anti-PH as can be. And TBH, in that instance alone, they aren't doing a bad job.

Taxi Driver Online http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/

An open invitation from the GMB http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3034	Page 1 of 10

Author:	Guest [ Sat Jan 07, 2006 10:25 pm ]
Post subject:
im glad the GMb are trying to start up a fresh. about 15 years ago there were over gmB 100 members in the brighton Ph association. but the gmb didnt really want to know. got to the stage that the GMB sponsored councillors were always voting agianst the PH lads. which is why there is now 0 gmb members in the local Ph association. i think you could say there is room for growth. i might even join up again if they allow hackney boys in.

Author:	TDO [ Sun Jan 08, 2006 11:01 am ]
Post subject:	Re: An open invitation from the GMB
Alex wrote: These are just a few of the issues we believe there should be a national policy on, we think in the main the London regulations represent best practice but to get these national policies we need a national negotiating body From what I can see the London PH regime is pretty laissez faire - ie it's little more than basic vetting for drivers and mechanical testing for vehicles, so I wouldn't call them best practice. Wasn't there supposed to be a knowledge test, but it's never been implemented?

Author:	GBC [ Tue Jan 10, 2006 6:27 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: An open invitation from the GMB
TDO wrote: Wasn't there supposed to be a knowledge test, but it's never been implemented? They replaced it with, 'can you stand upright'? 'Can you speak engli....... on second thoughts, heres your License.' 'Now repeat after me, taxee boss' Off you go, try not to attack anyone.

Author:	GBC [ Tue Jan 10, 2006 6:30 pm ]
Post subject:
Ollie wrote: The London LPH GMB union could be a real force if more drivers joined. Ollie If you join, that'll make 23 of you. Just think how much money all the language interpreters could make at the inaugral meeting.

Author:	Sussex [ Tue Jan 10, 2006 7:13 pm ]
Post subject:
greenbadgecabby wrote: If you join, that'll make 23 of you. Far be it for me to defend any unions activities, but the London PH boys seem to be getting most of what they want.

Author:	GBC [ Wed Jan 11, 2006 2:28 pm ]
Post subject:
Sussex wrote: greenbadgecabby wrote: If you join, that'll make 23 of you. Far be it for me to defend any unions activities, but the London PH boys seem to be getting most of what they want. For instance? Bus Lanes - No Access to the Royal Parks - The RP Constabularys line is still no. Signage - Still no, although I am aware of the consultation currently being carried out by the PCO. (Its worth bearing in mind though it was Ken Livingstone who was also against the idea as well as the Taxi trade, and as he has the final say regardless of any recomendation from the PCO) Erm , , ??? English speaking drivers? - still a big NO. Public confidence in using a Minicab? - Hmmmm? I think a lot of people tend to get drawn in by what Ollie posts on here, if , and a big if at that, he does rent a Mercedes and only services people who wear suits and travel to the airports, then he represents about 5% of the Minicab market in London. The rest slog it out at iffy back street offices working around 15 hours a day to earn a living, spending all day taking their turn to pick up 'round the corner' jobs from a local Tescos, and thats why touting will always be at epidemic levels in London as the drivers try to top up their money each week to make ends meet (thats not sympathy by the way ) So this image of all the London minicab fleet being shiney new saloons driven by suited drivers is pure nonsense. I also accept there are many Licensed Taxis and drivers who could do with looking in the mirror before they hit the streets, or visit a car wash once a week, but these drivers are a tiny minority, certainly no where near any significant numbers to be noticed. Next time anyone happens to be in London, have a look at your average High Street Minicab office, the drivers waiting outside and the cars they use. Use your own eyes to see the reality of the situation, or should I say 'wake up and smell the coffee' I do, every day I work.

Author:	Sussex [ Wed Jan 11, 2006 6:45 pm ]
Post subject:
I very much doubt that will get everything within the first few years of being licensed. But in time they will. Take PH signage, even I would have classed that as a no-hope, but the vibes are pointing to it being allowed. And when that happens, bus lane access will follow. All that in a few years, just think of the power they will have in twenty.

Author:	GBC [ Thu Jan 12, 2006 9:13 am ]
Post subject:
Sussex wrote: I very much doubt that will get everything within the first few years of being licensed. But in time they will. Take PH signage, even I would have classed that as a no-hope, but the vibes are pointing to it being allowed. And when that happens, bus lane access will follow. All that in a few years, just think of the power they will have in twenty. A lot of maybes, but no definites. Besides, in 20 years I'll be long gone, ask me then what I think from my boat in the middle of Malmsjon!

Author:	Sussex [ Thu Jan 12, 2006 6:26 pm ]
Post subject:
greenbadgecabby wrote: Besides, in 20 years I'll be long gone, ask me then what I think from my boat in the middle of Malmsjon! And bloody good luck to you. You have earn't you money working in the licensed trade, which is all that the vast majority of the London PH boys want to do.

Page 1 of 10	All times are UTC [ DST ]
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group http://www.phpbb.com/

Author:	TDO [ Thu Jan 12, 2006 9:58 pm ]
Post subject:
greenbadgecabby wrote: Besides, in 20 years I'll be long gone, ask me then what I think from my boat in the middle of Malmsjon! Hmmm.....had to look that one up on Google. And guess what came up at number 4: You have always been the rough side, it will take years for respectability to be attached to 'London Private Hire', and to be frank when it does arrive I will be looking over the lake next to the summer house over Malmsjon, thinking of you running around old London Town. Some things never change!