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Tuesday 13th October 2009
Immediate Release
Attention: News desk, Transport, Local Government, Industrial and Political Correspondents
STILL TIME TO AVERT CHELMSFORD CAB STRIKE IF COUNCIL WILL AGREE TO TALKS TO HELP CAB DRIVERS WHOES HOMES ARE UNDER THREAT
. The Council can avoid the inconvenience and chaos of strike for the traveling public by simply talking to the drivers and reaching an agreement on how to improve this vital public service for all involved
A packed meeting last night, of Chelmsford’s Hackney cab drivers heard of a long history of the Chelmsford Council’s attitude towards this vital part of the area’s transport infrastructure.
Chelmsford’s professional drivers who work in the Private Hire and Hackney Carriage industries and who are members of the GMB trade union’s Professional Drivers Branch (GMB PDB) are calling on Chelmsford Council to take action on the many problems facing the local cab trade. These problems concern the cab ranks, the number of licensed cabs, council toleration of illegal and unlicensed cab touts, excessive licensing fees. Other issues were also raised. Too many cabs a considerable shortage of rank spaces, he attitude of licensing officers, all of which threaten the presence of a cab service for the area. Drivers reported to the meeting that they have to work more than 80 hours a week to make a living. Reports too of the council refusing to listen to it’s cab drivers.
Chelmsford’s cab drivers decided to join GMB‘s Professional Drivers Branch to gain the support of Britain’s largest cab and private hire union which is representing the needs of professional drivers in and their fares. They voted to take strike action if the Council continued to disregard the issues effecting Chelmsford’s cab drivers.
Terry Michel GMB Hack Section Chelmsford said, "Many GMB members are on their knees and are facing real financial meltdown. Missed mortgage payments or cab loans, which one do you pay first. If Chelmsford Borough Council continue to ignore the result of their policies and issue licenses into an already overly saturated market then everyone will suffer.”
Terence Flanagan, GMB Branch Secretary said "Chelmsford Council seems determined to destroy the cab service in the area. There are far too many licensed cabs at the moment and the Council still insist they will continue to issue licenses. Chelmsford professional drivers are ready to strike on a weekend to drive home their problems. The Council can avoid the inconvenience and chaos of strike for the traveling public by simply talking to the drivers and reaching an agreement on how to improve this vital public service for all involved.
Cabs drivers currently are unable to earn a proper living as a result. GMB is asking the Council to stop issuing licenses until agreement can be reached on how many drivers should be licensed overall. Many drivers are losing money and are threatened with repossession. Two Tory councillors last week seemed to find this amusing. I am sure that after the industrial action they have made inevitable they won’t be so amused. Should the leader of the Council be prepared to meet with GMB and give a commitment before 4 30 Friday 16th Oct the need for industrial action can be avoided.”
Ends
Contact: Terry Michel local GMB Professional Driver members on 07782 190 844 or Terry Flanagan, GMB Professional Driver Branch Secretary on 07958 275339 or GMB Press Office: Rose Conroy 07974 252183.
Notes to Editors:
1 GMB has thousands members who work as professional drivers in all parts of the transport industry; private hire, chauffeurs, couriers (bikes and vans) and taxi drivers all over the UK are members of GMB.
2 GMB won the right for professional drivers to be exempt from the London Congestion Charge, The right to drop off and pick up on Red Route and is heading a campaign for safety shield and CCTV in cabs, paid for by the proprietors to stop the many attacks and robberies on drivers.
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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin
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