Taxi Driver Online

I learnt the knowledge in 2005 with a local cab firm who has a school. I signed a contract that said the cost of learning the knowledge would be just under £1000 but this is waived when signing contract that says we won't drive for another cab firm within 18 months. After 8 months of driving for this company i was so disillusioned, it was only a small circuit another more established company had the monopoly. 5 other drivers and myself left within 4 months of each other. 2 went to the more established company, 3 went to different companies in a different town but still under the same licensing area. and lastly I left and went to same place as 1 of the others - different company, different town, same licensing area. We all left as there was not enough work, feelings were very very strong about this, i could say more but won't at the moment as this is just the basics. This week I got court summons thru from my ex boss small claims court for just over £1000. Thing is I left in June, 18 months obviosly not up, but I had been looking for totally new job but not easy to come by and interviews take ages so in the meantime, because I was in contact with those other drivers who'd left, I went to the new cab company. Because my ex boss found out i'd approached other firms he took the car that I rented from him from my car park over night without my knowledge. I reported it stolen to the police as I didn't know he'd taken it. He wasn't happy about this. A week after starting new firm it all got too much for me and I quit cabs and went into care work, unfortunately I realised care work wasn't for me so I went back on the cabs to new firm, again, different area but same licensing authority. In truth I'm still seeking totally different employment and have paperwork that shows i've made appplications and attended interviews. phoned solicitor and told can't get legal aid on employment issues in small claims court and solicitor would cost more than the amount is claimed I owe. I intend defending this as I was at the time seeking a new job, and the fact he took my car without my knowledge. Will go to CAB Monday for them to read the contract and my defence, I do want to fight this but am pretty sure the contract will stand - the family that runs the company I was with, although have a small HC circuit in 1 area, have a very large established PH company in another area so they know what they're doing. Thats basically the story, any advice please I really would appreciate it. By the way I'm a 50 ish year old lady, single parent last 7 or so years, not a lot of money and cannot afford £1000

My first reaction is that this email is a get up.If it is true take it as warning as to what can happen to you without union advice.As for you true blue {what is the significance of this weird ID] I wish you luck,but in future you might care to have union protection for yourself.Without looking at the contract i have no idea of your legal position.

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The views expressed by this contributor do not neccesarily reflect the policys of The GMB Nationally or of the GMB London Region.

Are you in a Union, don't know if its to late, they may take it on.

No it's not a wind up i can assure you. Had no idea about union etc. I am just a normal person who got into taxi business because after divorce and bringing up my kids I had no career as such. I'm a self motivated person who wanted the flexibility etc. etc. of taxi driving and as I'd done some part time courier work in the past I decided to drive a cab. No, not a wind up. Surely asking for advice, if possible, does not include having to explain about the name I use on this forum I didn't mean it to be a problem. I AM worried and hoped I could get some feedback on this problem. Many thanks

We dont represent non members normally.but phone me tomorrow on 07958 275 339 or 0208 202 8272 Terence Flanagan Branch SecretaryGMB Proffessional Drivers Branch we might be able to assist.
ORGANISE EDUCATE AGITATE

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The views expressed by this contributor do not neccesarily reflect the policys of The GMB Nationally or of the GMB London Region.

Ok I will do, thank you, it will be in the afternoon if thats ok

OK

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The views expressed by this contributor do not neccesarily reflect the policys of The GMB Nationally or of the GMB London Region.

Don't worry about the small claims court, it's not like a crown or mags court, just a judge that will give you plenty of time to tell him why you shouldn't pay the grand.

Try and remember exactly what the old boss offered you, in my experience bosses offer the world, but seldom does it arrive.

Tell the judge about any iffy stuff the old boss gets up to, again in my experience none of them are lilly white. Nor for that matter are many of us.

But even if the judge does go against you, you can ask for time to settle this civil debt. If you can only afford £1 a month, then that's all the judge can ask you to pay.

So go prepared, note down everything that has happened whilst you worked for him, and since you left.

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IDFIMH

I'll call now if convenient but tomorrow if not

Thanks sussex, yes I've noted lots of things down. This is making me feel a bit better now. I just don't want him to win, but IF he does then £1 / week it will be. 6 of us leaving in 4 months says a story...

he took the car that I rented from him from my car park over night without my knowledge. I reported it stolen to the police as I didn't know he'd taken it. He wasn't happy about this.?????????

The question I have to my mind, is who broke the contract first????

Yes Mr T and I have a crime reference number. Maybe thats the biggest thing I have against him. Was meant to be meeting him the following lunchtime to talk about my maybe doing part time driving, part time control, and part time repping but HE was winding me up by saying I could do that, yes, I woke up the next morning and no car

When he took the car did you owe him any money

He took it because he'd found out I'd approached other taxi companies.