Taxi Driver Online

Rossendale taxi drivers in strike threat


TAXI drivers in Rossendale are threatening to go on strike if the council does not agree to change its licensing policy.

The 230 members of Rossendale Taxi Association are concerned that their personal information could get into ‘the wrong hands’ if new regulations are carried.

Rossendale Council’s licensing committee passed a motion allowing a private company to carry out taxi drivers’ Criminal Record Bureau and DVLA checks.

This allows the firm to hold their names, addresses, dates of birth and other private details.

David Lawrie, chairman of the Rossendale Taxi Association, has called the ruling a ‘very dangerous thing’ and said his group would take strike action if the decision was not quashed over the DVLA checks.

However, Coun Sean Serridge, deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for customers, legal and licensing, said using private companies to issue checks was routine procedure.

A meeting was held between the borough authority and taxi chiefs yesterday to prevent a strike.

Before the talks, Mr Lawrie said: “All the taxi drivers in the borough will be going on strike if the council don’t back down on this very dangerous thing.

“We will be forced to give our personal details over to a company who could share them with whoever they want. They could get into the wrong hands and our members are very concerned about it.

“It is a cost-cutting measure by the council, but these are corners that shouldn’t be cut.”

Coun Serridge said: “Most government agencies use companies to perform these checks. For instance, many councils in Lancashire use Capita to process their CRB checks.

“The council will not allow people’s private information to go into the hands of companies who could misuse them.

“It is perfectly legal and safe.”

If the ruling goes ahead, the changes will be brought in on August 1. It has not yet been disclosed which company will be contracted to manage the process.

source: http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/ne ... ke_threat/

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

What's the problem?

CRB checks are no more, and someone got to check the DVLA database.

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IDFIMH

I note they aren't striking because Rossendale is a laughing stock across the country - dishing out licenses to all and sundry

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

why does the Association not try and stop the issueing of plates. Whether its rights or not I am told there is 1000 appications it may not be true

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C. Oakes


The Hackney Association Ltd
bbha@btinternet.com

Because very few of them work there.

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IDFIMH

Aye heaven forbid - if Rossendale actually stop issuing licenses how on earth will customers in Manchester get home

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

Hi there is 60 in Oldham

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C. Oakes


The Hackney Association Ltd
bbha@btinternet.com

Taxi drivers may walk out over offences checks


Valley taxi bosses say they could repeat their strike of two years ago following crisis talks with council chiefs.


Valley taxi bosses say they could repeat their strike of two years ago following crisis talks with council chiefs.

Rossendale Taxi Association has major concerns over licensing policy changes to come into effect in August – and may call for industrial action before then.

Association chairman Dave Lawrie met with council bosses last week and members will now call a meeting to decide if strike action is necessary.

Mr Lawrie said: “We need to call a meeting to decide our position and go for a majority vote. I’m hoping they will choose not to strike, but I’m still worried.”

The Free Press reported earlier this month how the council claimed new checks would help crack down on those trying to hide driving convictions.

The council’s licensing committee plans to introduce an annual check on the driving database of the driver’s record by an external company, which the council claims will mean those trying to hide driving offences will be identified more quickly.

The check will complement the existing three-year enhanced disclosure check which identifies any criminal convictions.

But Mr Lawrie added: “This new policy will compromise our identities. They will give our details out to a private company meaning they’ll have our names, ages and addresses.

“There are 264 drivers in Rossendale and 1,300 licences currently being processed.

“We feel we’re being blackmailed because for them to carry out driver checks we will be forced to sign an agreement otherwise we won’t get our badges.

“They have given me assurances that our identities will be fine but when I asked which company will be doing it they didn’t know.”

Rossendale council deputy leader Sean Serridge said talks with cabbies were positive.

He added: “I’ve had a very constructive meeting with Mr Lawrie and discussed in depth all the issues that he and traders are concerned about and hopefully we will be able to reach a compromise.”

In March 2011, taxi drivers kept the Valley under lockdown as they protested through the night against a council licensing policy they said would cost jobs.

Around 150 drivers from the Rossendale Taxi Association took part in the action over one weekend.

http://www.rossendalefreepress.co.uk/ne ... er-4726599

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

Did it have the desired effect?

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Grandad,

Strikes rarely do BUT what on earth makes the drivers think that a private company is going to be any less secure than a council after all the record of councils in protecting sensitive data is pretty pathetic I would have thought that a private firm might be better

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Knob and head springs to mind.

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IDFIMH

Of course the tit hasn't grasped out that anyone can view the hackney carriage list, and has been able to do so for over 160 years.

I wonder if that has caused them any problems?

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IDFIMH