Taxi Driver Online

Well this is interesting. After the tall poppies of Uber and Addison Lee, this action is against a more conventional operation. Could open the floodgates if successful...


Minicab drivers take legal action against Northampton taxi firm in dispute over holiday pay and pensions

https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news ... -1-9001766

Two Northampton minicab drivers have launched a legal case against a town taxi firm claiming they should be entitled to holiday pay and pension contributions...claims the firm denies.

The men are being supported in their claim against taxi firm Bounds by the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB), which has taken successful legal action against Uber and Addison Lee.

The men are arguing they are entitled to a guaranteed minimum wage, holiday pay, pension contributions, and collective bargaining rights, among others.

A spokesman for Bounds says all their drivers are self-employed, they choose to work for the company and have the freedom to work elsewhere, without a notice period. Drivers also do not pay any fees when they are on holiday, the spokesman added.

The IWGB says the drivers are being denied basic employment rights by classifying them as independent contractors, rather than workers or employees.

Bounds driver and one of the two claimants, Shafqat Shah, said: "I have worked for Bounds on and off for eight years and all that time I have been denied basic rights.

"It's the biggest minicab company in the East of England and keeps on growing by buying rivals, but claims it can't give its drivers paid holidays or pension contributions.

"We owe it to our families and each other to keep on fighting.”

The union will argue that the level of control Bounds has over its drivers means that they are entitled to the same rights as workers and employees.

But a spokesman for Bounds said there were systems in place to achieve a high level of service.

"We, like every firm in the country, charge a fixed fee and supply the driver bookings. We do not stipulate what time they start or finish, the agreement allows them to come and go as they wish and there are no restrictions on the number of hours they can work or the number of bookings they can receive.

"We must stress that each and every driver is self-employed and has the choice to move to another company any time they wish.

"The majority stay with us as we have, being the largest fleet, the ability to provide a far quicker service than most and consequently have secured a much larger percentage of the work within the town.

"It, therefore, follows that they have the potential to increase their earnings."

The union said that a manager also conducts random checks on the road to ensure the drivers are complying with company policy, including the dress code policy.

The Bounds spokesman added: "Safety is a major consumer factor, and with that in mind, we try to ensure that the vehicles our customers travel in meet the regulations set down by the Licensing Department of the Borough Council. "

While reading that, for a split second was sure it was going to end 'keeps growing by leaps and Bounds', but it didn't happen

But Bounds' website claims it has 250 cars, so I would guess it *isn't* the largest PH operator in the East of England?

http://www.boundstaxis.co.uk/about-us.html


Certainly didn't help Uber or Addison Lee. And, unlike Uber, doubt if drivers would be allowed to work for another firm while working with Bounds.


Which has what to do with the drivers' employment status?

The flood gates will open, and should IMO open.

But it would be better for all if legislation changed things rather than court cases here and there.

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IDFIMH

They're digging themselves a hole here. The choice isn't that they're able to "move to another company" at any time. They need to be free to take work from another company whilst still taking work from Bounds. It sounds like they're saying that the drivers are self employed because they can hand their set back and go elsewhere, that's no different to an employee quitting.

Also note Bounds "try" to ensure vehicles meet regulations. They MUST ensure they meet regulations.

"The Bounds spokesman added: "Safety is a major consumer factor, and with that in mind, we try to ensure that the vehicles our customers travel in meet the regulations set down by the Licensing Department of the Borough Council. "

my drivers are self employed because they can accept work off our phones or off the rank or from other sources it's annoying at times but it is as it has to be

personally i think the definition of self employed needs to change dramatically. 5 times as many people are self employed now as was the case 20 years ago it's no good fiddling at the edges it will still be abused

perhaps it's time to abolish self employment all together and replace it with some form of micro company set up which would have to pay tax, pension and national insurance monthly on it's turnover. With strict rules on who is eligible

i.e. if you are providing services which are booked through your own number,website app by members of the public then legitimate but if your work comes solely through someone else's phone numbers, website or app then you are ineligible

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Taxis Are Public Transport too

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