Cardiff cabbies threaten strike action over abusive passengersHUNDREDS of Cardiff taxi drivers are threatening to strike on one of the busiest nights of the year, in protest at being abused by drunken punters.
Mathab Khan, chairman of Cardiff Hackney Association, said his 731 members could walk out on Friday, December 23 – dubbed Black Friday – if South Wales Police and Cardiff council did not promise drivers greater protection.
He claimed city cabbies were regularly subjected to physical and verbal attacks, racism, foul language and damaged cars – and said drivers working over the Christmas party period would be “endangering their lives”.
Both the police and the council have vowed to clamp down on anti-social behaviour over the festive season.
And South Wales Police rejected claims from Mr Khan they did not respond quickly enough to allegations of criminal behaviour made by drivers.
Mr Khan said drivers in the capital had been attacked, subjected to bad language, verbal abuse and racism, and had their vehicles kicked or punched by city centre revellers.
He said: “It’s been going on for the last few years and it’s very frightening. We are trying very hard to make a living.”
Mr Khan said drivers were “dreading” the two forthcoming weekends.
“The punters come out and get sozzled and smashed and then want to get in a cab. The drivers are very scared and very frightened.”
He called on police and council officials to guarantee cabbies extra protection – or face a dramatic walkout on one of the biggest nights of the year.
“I don’t want them to take this lightly,” said Mr Khan. “It’s extremely serious. We will not work. Why should we endanger our lives to work?”
A South Wales Police spokeswoman said: “Taxi drivers have a challenging job at times and we appreciate the work they do in taking people, who are often intoxicated, home from the city centre. Unfortunately, incidents such as criminal damage, assault and verbal abuse can occur and when reported they are investigated thoroughly.
“A wide-ranging safety and cleanliness campaign by Cardiff council and South Wales Police is under way in Cardiff to keep people safe and improve everyone’s enjoyment of nightlife in the city centre.
“Initiatives include extra policing and a targeting of individuals involved in anti-social behaviour and an extended taxi marshalling service.”
A Cardiff council spokeswoman said it had promoted a code of conduct for drivers and passengers, and also pointed to the existence of the Taxi Forum – a regular meeting between council officials, police officers and industry representatives, including Mr Khan – as an example of the authorities working with drivers to ensure concerns were addressed.
source:
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/
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