Taxi Driver Online

No he has got his eye on a nice place near the artic.

Ollie

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Happy to be legit.

It's good to read that there are other people in the industry who take an interest in union affairs.

Only the most simple minded half wit could fail to see the obvious advantage of a collective approach. You only have to look at the industries and firms that aren't yet organised to see how the workforce is treated.

When I was forced to begin work as a private hire driver the first thing I tried to do was join a union. I would even have joined an association if nothing else existed although these type of organisations can sometime attract the petty minded who seem more intent on boosting their own ego's by looking down on others rather than doing anything constructive.

I tried to join the TGWU and was promised that an officer would get back to me. This happened on several occassions. However it was being told that I would probably be spat at if I attended a branch meeting that finally put me off.

It was about this time that Terry Flanagan was making noises about the GMB in the London trade mag so I decided to join the GMB.

I must say that the service I have had from them has been first class.

Got a Skoda Superb through the Taxi Centre at a good price with all the perks thanks to GMB membership.

Reduced rate insurance through Chauffer Direct on the same basis.

Was out of action for five weeks when someones brakes went and they ended up crashing into my rear.

Subsequent developments led to court appearances and a total victory saving me about £6000 thanks to the GMB legal back up.

It isn't all a bed of roses though trying to persuade others at the firm I employ to join up is hard work at times.

However when I discovered the same stuff that captain cab has posted there were serious concerns about what I was a member of and more importantly what I was asking other people to join.

No wonder the GMB was in decline and the prospect of being taken over by the Engineering and Electrical union was looming.

Counterbalancing that was the decent deals available and the first class work being done by Terry Flanagan and other individuals and the London Region of the GMB.

When events unfolded and the old general secretary resigned and the London Secretary, Paul Kenny, took over as acting general secretary it appeared that things were travelling in the right direction.

When Mr Kenny was confirmed as general secretary and the craftworkers takeover of the GMB was thwarted it seemed to me the right thing to do was to stay in and start helping out a bit more.

Since then the unions militant stand against the US union busting gaint ASDA/WALMART has been impressive making the firm back down over a recognition issue after a vote for five days of industrial action had taken place.

Only a couple of days ago it was confirmed that a report that would have led to the closure of remploy factories and the loss of disabled workers jobs had been dumped following concerted political pressure by the TGWU and the GMB.

There is even talk of direct action by Private Hire drivers over the discrimmination against them in London.

Things are not perfect and will not change overnight, but mass recruitment, direct action and legal and political back up surely with more people getting involved we could help build a really good general union, particularly the drivers branch.

I'd rather that than be swallowed up by a craft union, some of whose members arrogantly and ignorantly through their noses at us ordinary workers. That attitude may suit some who are in desperate need of a life but it's of no use to Private Hire or Taxl drivers

Thanks Terry!

GBC you cretin does that look my layout skills.I dont know this geezer obviously another member of the fan club!!!

Your quite right Terrence, this person can spell, use paragraphs, doesn’t resort to abuse when he looses a debate, doesn’t come across as a bigot, I’ll withdraw the comparison with you immediately.

are you Terry's mam?

hehe

CC

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

I'm afraid he doesn't like people sticking up for the PH trade in London.

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IDFIMH

No problem at all Sussex.

It’s when the individuals concerned fraudulently use the word ‘professional’ I’ll stick my awe in.

I think Brother Terry’s made a splendid show of his true colours, a bigot, an IRA sympathiser (No surrender etc) and on top of that he’s illiterate.

I’m so jealous he doesn’t represent the Licensed Taxi trade! Honestly I am . . . .

Well he will when those bikes become licensed London taxis.

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IDFIMH

Don't you mean the other member of the fan club?

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Former taxi driver

Pardon?

Damn, I've reactivated this thread. Now the RMT lads will see it.

You cant defend the ph minicab scabbing touts in London, a bunch of smelly immigrant, yellow eyed scum.

That quote from Steve McKenzie kinda sums it up in London!

Remind me who is?

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IDFIMH

I think he played up front for Chelsea.

CC

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