Taxi Driver Online

Taxi drivers vote for strike action

Rossenedale cabbies have voted in favour of going on strike over a proposed penalty points system. Strike action now looks "imminent" within a fortnight.

Drivers have backed plans to take their vehicles off the roads on Friday and Saturday nights and mornings, unless and until the council withdraws the scheme.

The penalty points document, under which drivers face test retakes if they reach a 20-point limit within 12 months, is designed to target a minority of problem cabbies.

It lists 34 examples of unacceptable behaviour, including urinating or defecating in public. The ballot was carried out on Monday evening (October 11) at a meeting attended by over 150 taxi drivers.

Cabbies' chief Glenn Bulcock said: "We have a full mandate for a strike. More or less the whole Valley has voted unanimously for strike action. There are no ifs and buts, we are 100 per cent focused. We are ready and willing to do whatever it takes.

"The drivers feel that if they don't fight the proposals for penalty points, their livings will be affected and they've had enough of being pushed around by the licensing authority."

The two sides are set for a behind-closed-doors showdown meeting at Thursday's (October 14) taxi liaison meeting. Cabbies want the document withdrawn with immediate effect, but council chiefs insist the public consultation will not conclude before November 2.

Mr Bulcock said: "The drivers don't want the document to go its full term because they think the council will push it through. Listening to the council it seems that they want it to run its full course and it seems that they think the public are in favour of it. But from what I've read the public are fully behind the taxi drivers."

Rawtenstall's chamber of commerce boss David Gould has warned the cabbies would lose public sympathy if they repeated their industrial action of three years ago.

Penalty points scheme:

* Revocation or suspension of DVLA driving licence 20 points
* Major contravention of a Road Traffic Act requirement 20 points
* Carrying excess passenger(s) 20 points
* Major vehicle defects 8 points
* Abusive behaviour to council officer 8 points
* Failure to produce MOT certificate, driving licence and/or insurance 8 points
* Driving using handheld mobile phone, two way radio, eating or drinking while vehicle in motion 8 points
* Urinating or defecating in public place 8 points
* Failure to keep proper records 8 points
* Failure to notify council of road traffic collision 8 points
* Abusive behaviour to public or licensed driver 8 points
* Failure to present vehicle for inspection 8 points
* Failure to notify change of medical circumstances 8 points
* Stationary Hackney Carriage plying for hire while parked other than on designated taxi stand 6 points
* Failure to wear driver's badge 6 points
* Littering 5 points
* Private hire vehicle parking/waiting within 250 metres of taxi rank without booked fare 5 points
* Smoking in the vehicle 5 points
* Contravention of any other byelaw 5 points
* Minor contravention of a section of a Road Traffic Act 5 points
* Driving in a manner likely to cause inconvenience or distress 5 points
* Parking in contravention of parking restrictions 5 points
* Failure to notify of change of address 4 points
* Parking/stopping on zigzags of pedestrian crossing or school entrance 4 points
* Minor vehicle defects 4 points
* Licensed vehicle displaying unauthorised markings 4 points
* Sounding the vehicle horn to announce arrival or tout 4 points
* Failure to display roof sign or external plate 4 points
* Dirty vehicle – inside or outside 4 points
* Using in-vehicle entertainment systems to annoy persons outside 4 points
* Failure to display Hackney Carriage fare card in vehicle 3 points
* No spare wheel or tools for wheel changing 3 points
* Stopping with wheels on the pavement 3 points
* Failure to have proper first aid kit 3 points

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IDFIMH

They need to take action.....these penalty point systems are insane!

CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

self employed taxi drivers going on strike.

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Grandad,

So what difference does it make whether a persons employed or self employed if they're being sh*t upon from a great height?

CC

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

What a load of bolox

There is no law against using a 2 way, or meals on wheels yes I know your not supposed to
how do you keep the outside clean in inclement weather

The L.A. do not have the power to put these condition's on a hackney License.
The Human Rights Act of 1998 section 6 also says "there can be no penalty without Law"

Take out an injunction to stop the council in there tracks

Spot on - no "Conditions" only bye laws.

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Chris The Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdlyi5mc ... re=related

I am not against a protest for this but why oh why do self employed people say they are going on strike. They are not, they are taking a day off, or night if you like.

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Grandad,

I get your meaning, perhaps they should spend a day driving around with their underpants on their heads, thus signifiying the council are pants.

CC

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Hows this then...

Quoted and edited from the first line of the opening post....

Rossenedale cabbies have voted in favour of withholding their labour over a proposed penalty points system. Withholding of labour action now looks "imminent" within a fortnight.

Happy now?

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Chris The Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdlyi5mc ... re=related

That may have a better response, providing that someone has pointed out the meaning to the council otherwise they just won't get it.

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Grandad,

I'd be tempted to take a dump on the Council steps, wipe my @rris with a bandage from the first aid kit then use it to do some littering.


Just kidding.

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Chris The Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdlyi5mc ... re=related

But surely a joke loses its point when you got to explain it

CC

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Print the reason on the "Pants".

_________________
Chris The Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdlyi5mc ... re=related