Taxi Driver Online

Echo15,

This issue was placed on this forum for debate, as the GMB PDB believe that in the not to distant future, regulations of this kind will be imposed on our industry. My collegue TF has stated quite clearly, that it is our belief, to be proactive in our approach to problems such as this facing our industry. Organisation and unity in our opinion is the key.

Should legislation change, our industry needs to be at the forefront of discussion with government.

Regards
BB

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Mick Hildreth (07814 032002)
GMB PDB P39 Southern Region Branch Secretary
mick.hildreth@gmbtaxis.org.uk
www.gmbpdb.org.uk

I think it's worth remembering that the vast majority of the licensed drivers in the GMB aren't going to, IMO, support a shorter working week, if it leads to a smaller pot of money at the end of the week.

But why o why are we all working so long? Is it because are rates are too low and we need to work crazy hours to pay the bills?

Is that what we all came into this trade for?

The flexibility of this trade is one of it's greatest assets, and losing that wouldn't be a plus point, but IMO we need to get away from drivers having to work long unsociable hours just to get by.

Answers on a post card please.

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IDFIMH

many many HGV and PCV drivers are owner drivers and not on PAYE, but why shouldnt the self employed be bound by sensible driver hours?

.....by Echo15, with respect!

Cabbyman,

With the greatest respect to you and Echo15, This issue is of serious concern to us all, with the continuing downturn in the economy, many drivers may need to work unacceptably long hours to sustain the level of income needed to support their families. However, do you think that the police will accept any excuse from a driver who has worked excessive hours with little sleep and has a fatal accident? Or do you think they will prosecute him?
The GMB PDB members are not in the business of working fewer hours for less money, but support working fewer hours for more money.

The question is how can this be achieved?

Regards
BB

_________________
Mick Hildreth (07814 032002)
GMB PDB P39 Southern Region Branch Secretary
mick.hildreth@gmbtaxis.org.uk
www.gmbpdb.org.uk

In a closed, centrally controlled economy.

Not one that I would wish to be in.

From what I can gather there are two issuses involved here, one is the oversupply of private hire vehicles and drivers in London and probably elswhere in the country leading to a shortage of work and the other is driver and passenger safety in respect of over-tiredness.

What appears to have happened is that instead of addressing both issues seperately and exploring individual solutions to each, the health and safety issue of "tiredness" has been hijacked to support the argument of driver oversupply.

My personal opinion is that the issue of driver oversupply is a case for concern but Mr Flanagan should have concentrated on that very issue and not try to link driver fatigue with his main concern which would appear to be the erosion of driver earnings.

Linking the two issues will in no way curry favour with the majority of hackney carriage or private hire drivers.

It has been suggested that subsidies might be a way forward but I believe that is wishfull thinking.

I requested a blue print for reducing working hours while maintaining the same standard of living and not surprisingly none was forthcoming.

You also have to remember that private hire legislation has no power to restrict such licenses except where a council or PCO use inventive methods of quality controls. Therefore the first hurdle to overcome is the legislation that governs the trade. If you examine the legislation you will find there is no way of restricting licenses without first altering legislation. That might be a more favourable course to take than trying to impose mandatory working hours on taxi drivers which in my opinion would not work in any case.

In conclusion I suggest some deep thought is put into the problems highlighted by the original poster and concentrate those thoughts on the "oversupply" issue and don't get side-tracked by the fact that some drivers persistently work excessive hours.

Regards

JD

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Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

Well said JD. Knew somebody would simplify things

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

Thank you for those comments, it would appear you and I are amongst the few staying in this evening.

Happy new year.

Regards

JD

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Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

The hours that a driver works his entirely up to themselves.... I have always had the right to say no......... as dose everyone else.... if it didn't suit me... then the answer would be No.
At last somebody has pointed this debate into the true problem, if the unrestricted number of private hire licences........... which will continue to affect every member of the Hackney and private hire trade....
Liverpool used to have a very thriving industry( Ford's..BMC. etc) all big major car manufacturing companies, totally Union run........ always on strike for more money and less hours, and then there was the Liverpool docks. the car companies have gone and Liverpool docks is thriving with very little Union assistance....
why do I get the feeling that London is 20 years behind every one else in this country..

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

I'm a Cinderella in reverse. I don't actually go out until after midnight but Happy New Year to you too

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

Was it? Oh thanks for telling me!

My original post was to ask if anyone had heard the Jeremy Vine show but I sit corrected

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Life? Don't talk to me about life!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjm2eslm6hI

The PCO could half the amount of Minicab driver applications overnight, make it a condition of being licensed that you have the ability to speak English and know where you're going in London.

On second thoughts, that would wipe out 97% of applications.

There are PH outside London that have the same problem so perhaps a thorough English test should be called for across the board. The only problem with that is there maybe some English who may fail

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!