Coventry taxi drivers who want to work say they are being threatened by striking cabbies
COVENTRY taxi drivers who want to work say they are being threatened and bullied by striking cabbies.
As the massively disruptive stoppage entered its fourth day, one said he was surrounded by six strikers at Coventry station who threatened to vandalise his cab.
Another cabbie said she was intimidated with threats that “there would be consequences” if she picked up passengers.
She said: “Many of us want to work, but we’re being threatened and they are blockading the taxi ranks so no-one can use them.”
Another Hackney cab driver told us he wanted to work but had been told in “aggressive tones” by strikers they were taking down plate numbers of “strike-breakers”.
They dispute taxi leaders’ claims that 98 per cent of the city’s 950 licensed Hackney cabbies and private hire drivers have joined an all-out stoppage, which will continue indefinitely until Coventry City Council gives in to their demands.
About 100 protesting taxi drivers unanimously raised their hands in favour of renewing strike action - after parking illegally outside the Council House on Monday.
They were ordered to park cabs in the city’s 130 taxi rank spaces, and urge all other cabbies to join the strike – after emergency talks with council leaders ended in stalemate.
Another private hire cabbie told us: “We’re still working, but people now think they can’t phone us for a cab. I’ve seen some black cabs still working too.
“If they’d had a proper democratic vote among all private hire and Hackney cab businesses, the majority would have voted against striking.”
Another Hackney carriage driver said: “I share the grievances with the council, but stupid tactics like not doing school runs, taking people to hospital and go-slows on the ring road are alienating the public.”
Imran Zaman, of Coventry Taxi Association said: “We’re peaceful. We don’t condone threats or violence. It’s difficult to stop one or two getting passionate, which is understandable when they’re losing money, and the council is ignorant.”
As self-employed businesses, taxi drivers say they can withdraw their Labour whenever they choose. Mr Zaman said there would be no breach of contract with the council – the licensing authority also in charge of vehicle maintenance.
He is telling cabbies it was particularly important not to pick up pupils for school runs, under work contracted with the council.
Mr Zaman said there was nothing to stop city and out-of-town private hire taxi firms picking up pre-booked passengers.
Only Hackney cabs can use the taxi ranks, and can be hailed from the street, unlike private hire vehicles.
Why are taxi drivers striking?
Striking cabbies are demanding the council immediately stops issuing any more licences, saying too many cabs are ruining their livelihoods, with not enough rank spaces.
Ruling Labour councillors are refusing to implement an immediate cap on licences, saying it would leave the council open to costly legal challenges from would-be cabbies – at taxpayers’ expense.
Instead, city services cabinet member Lindsley Harvard is set next week to approve a three-month review in to taxi supply and demand – and a cap could then follow.
But taxi drivers say other councils have issued temporary emergency caps – before any review – following protests.
Both sides said yesterday they were willing to resume discussions. Coun Harvard said: “Our door is always open.”
Mr Zaman said taxi leaders had been lobbying city councillors.
source:
http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/
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