Waste of time by the looks of it, and they missed the whole bank holiday weekend?
All looks very messy, and suspect it's just a few hotheads stirring things up. Perhaps well meaning, but unrealistic if they think the PH operators will budge
The Bolton taxi drivers continuing to work despite strikeshttps://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/news ... e-strikes/Taxi drivers are being pressured to strike over fare increases, a trade body has claimed.Bolton Private Hire Association called a strike calling for a nominal fare increase, which ended up lasting the whole bank holiday weekend.
The association says drivers have not seen their fares increase in over four years, despite the rising costs for maintaining a vehicle, the effects of the coronavirus lockdowns, and planned changes due to come into force across Greater Manchester for meeting carbon emissions targets.
The latest strike was planned to take place from 6am on Friday May 28 to 6am Saturday May 29, however, this was extended to cover the bank holiday weekend.
But Asif Vali, chairman of the Bolton Private Hire Operators Association, told The Bolton News that a number of taxi drivers are being intimidated into strike action.
He said: “I just don’t understand why they are striking.
“It’s fine to strike and people can if they want. But many that are still driving have said they are being intimidated into striking, which should not be happening.
“Some say they made reports to the police, this is not the way to be going about a strike at all.
“These strikes have really affected the local community as a lot of people think all drivers are on strike, but many still want to and are continuing to work for the community.”
Cllr Hilary Fairclough, council cabinet member for regulatory services, said: “It’s all up to the operators for prices, they hold all the cards for this in a way.
“A lot of drivers just want to get on with the job and try and do what they can to help their families but there will always be some that are more aggressive when it comes to this.”
Cllr Mudasir Dean, chair of the licensing committee, said: “When taxi drivers go on strike it affects the general public, especially now at a time where people need to get our for vaccinations and other things as restrictions ease again.
“I’m not saying anyone is right or wrong in these situations but drivers, operators and associations need to sit down together to come to an agreement over this to be a full service for the public again.”
The Private Hire Association was unavailable for comment.
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