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Recapping on the events at Liverpool Airport.
The reality of the situation as we all know is that any Airport can charge for allowing vehicles to park on their land and ply for hire. Taking that into account we have a starting point for negotiation. In respect of Liverpool Airport they looked around and realised that practically every other Airport had been making permit charges for years. Liverpool therefore made a conscious business decision to do the same. If you or I were in their shoes I suspect we might do the same.
We then come to the dilemma of the Liverpool Taxi trade but after the initial furore where it was stated that the whole of the Liverpool Taxi trade was united against permit charging, it turns out that support was in the main limited to those who actually worked the Airport? The original charges proposed by the Airport were unrealistic to say the least and it would have meant Liverpool Airport arguably having the highest charges of any permit scheme in the country.
The T&G took it upon themselves to take the lead in any negotiations and by all accounts they had a meeting where it was estimated one hundred drivers were in attendance. It is suggested that the one hundred drivers were mainly regular Airport workers which might suggest that those not working the Airport were somewhat unconcerned about these permits?
The following extracts are from posts previously submitted in this thread, which might lead us to understand where the Liverpool Taxi trade were and where they might finally end up?
On 15th November the initial newspaper report quoted Mr T McIntyre as saying the following when commenting on permit charges.
Tommy McIntyre, T&G Convener for hackney cab drivers, said: "Drivers are not going to pay that. They already pay to be licensed by Liverpool city council. It's a lot of money and they are being told they have to go on training courses as well
Also on 15th November, Captain Cab using his own personal spell checker let it be known that it was a revenue raising exercise, when he stated this..
Revenue raising exersize
On November 16th Stinky Pete picked up on the news article that referred to the permits being limited, when he stated.
So just like other Railway stations it will be limited to the few
Also on November 16th Sussex picked up on the comments of Mr McIntyre who had said drivers would not pay the permit charge? Sussex wrote.
Well don't pay it then. Of course the likes of Checkers, Airport Carzs, Delta etc won't mind one little bit if they have to take over the contract?
On the same date November 16th Streetcars let it be known that some sort of blockade by Liverpool drivers was in the offing and Mr McIntyre was out of his depth? He said this……
Drivers are talking boycott, blockade. Tommy is well out of his depth. There are some even saying that what the airport are doing is illegal.
Again on November 16th Mr T let it be known that a meeting between representatives of the Liverpool cab trade and PMT had taken place but he never stated who had mandated those to speak on behalf of the Liverpool cab trade? He said.
There was a meeting today between the Liverpool cab trade and P T M I think they are called, I have been told the answer was No from the trade, they were also told that Manchester's fees from next year would be going to the same figure.
Thursday 16th November Captain Cab states he has emailed Mr McIntyre when he responded to a suggestion from Streetcars to give Mr McIntyre some advice. He said…
I dropped an email
16th November I comment about the figure being over the top and that I was keeping an open mind about the figure being correct? I stated….
Its nice to see we are ahead of the game but the permit charge seems a little OTT, therefore I am keeping an open mind about that figure being correct?
16th November, Streetcars puts some meat on the bones of the meeting held by Liverpool drivers, which Mr T originally informed us. He said
As usual Mr T you are correct there was a decision, to reject the permits at the mass meeting at Liverpool airport. The rumours are that if the owners of Liverpool Airport do not capitulate there will be a Lime street station type blockade, boycott.
16th November, Captain cab and Mr T respond to Streetcars post by reminding us that the Liverpool Taxi trade stick together when they said respectively…
CC. It's Liverpool, those people tend to stick together.
Mr T. You know how close the trades are locally, the word is out, support will be there.
16th November, Mr T informs us that he was told a new reduced offer of "one thousand pounds" was now on the table if drivers accepted the offer today. He said….
I was told that an offer was made, if they agreed to pay a 1000 a year today, than that would be the charge.
On the 18th November, I highlight the Barrier system as being the fairest payment method and Mr T was in agreement. I said…
Naturally no permits would be nice but if payments are to be the norm then I prefer the barrier system as I believe that is the fairest.
Mr T. I think the barrier system is fair myself. plus the fact you can always Nick them
18th November Mr T reminds us of the status of Mr McIntyre when he said…..
T&G policy is free and open access, Tommy McIntyre is a Liverpool driver he does not own a cab, apart from representing the T&G in Liverpool he is also a national convenor.
On 19th November Sussex reminded us that if Liverpool didn't pay then there are private hire companies out there who would. He said…
I think that's the sort of money they would get off PH operators, so maybe if the Liverpool cab trade don't want to cough up, then somebody else will.
On 20th November, Mr T informs us that a meeting is to take place, he said…
I have been told that the meeting will be on Thursday between members representing Liverpool council and the people from the airport. I am also led to believe that there will only be one Liverpool trade representative present, in a spectator type of role. I am also led to believe that the drivers only knew about the proposed fees on the Friday and were told that they would be implemented on the Monday.
On 21st November I raise the question about solidarity and support when I stated the following…
How much support do you think the regular Airport drivers will get from those that don't work it? Has it ever occurred to anyone that many drivers might welcome the imposition of permits just to keep others out and the added factor that these permits may in time command a scarcity value, providing they're allowed to be transferred?
On 23rd November Mr T informs us that the meeting had taken place when he said this….
The meeting took place today, and from what I was told, the people from the airport need to go away, rethink what the word negotiation means, and then come back and speak to the lads at the airport.
On December 7th Streetcars informs us of a day of action after talks had collapsed. He stated….
On the 15 Dec there will be a day of action, at Liverpool Airport, as expected negotiations between Peel holdings and the Liverpool taxi trade collapsed after the first meeting. This is in my view is what Peel holdings wanted, according to Peel holdings there is an unnamed private hire company, ready, willing and able to start work on the 1.1.07.
On December 12th the T&G issue a press release stating, that after a mass meeting of Liverpool cab drivers on the 5th December a National day of action will take place on 15th December.
On December the 13th Mr T reminds us that the T&G are pulling all the strings, when he said.
Win or lose on Friday I will be standing alongside Tommy supporting the Liverpool drivers.... In the past Liverpool have sent politicians back to London with a flea in their ear but this time there is a difference, "this is being solely orchestrated by the T&G"
On December the 14th Streetcar informs us that the day of action had been put off. He said.
INDUSTIAL ACTION PUT ON HOLD. It would seem the mighty T& G has chickened out. Its all been put on hold, till after Christmas. Nothing has changed, there are still going to be permits, all that huffing and puffing, it makes the T& G look like Pratt’s. What a let down? What was it, the threat of legal action? Any one knows? Some one said it would end in tears, how very right they were. T & G A LOAD OF GROVELLING TOSSERS.
On December 14th Streetcar informs us of a press release outlining the reasons why talks were postponed. He said…
Threat of action by T&GW Union Hackney drivers at JLA lifted 14 Dec 2006
Joint Press Release
Threat of action by T&GW Union Hackney drivers at JLA lifted
Following negotiations between the T&G and LJLA, the threat of action at Liverpool John Lennon Airport on Friday 15th December 2006 has been lifted.
It has been decided by all parties concerned that the best way forward is to abandon the proposed permit system and arrange further talks in the near future on the implementation of a chargeable barrier system, due to be in place by 19th February 2007. There will also be a full range of discussions between LJLA and the T&GWU as to how the current service provided by the Hackney Taxis can be improved for the benefit of user and driver alike. A series of meetings have been arranged for the New Year for these negotiations to be concluded.
December 14th GMB reminds everyone that the T&G will do what its members dictate. He said….
The T&G will do what its members dictate, if there's a legal threat what is it?
December 14th Streetcar responds to GMB by raising the questions, about Liverpool drivers who aren't in the T&G not being consulted and the right of the T&G to represent the whole of the Liverpool taxi trade? He said…
The T& G will do what members dictate really? I don’t think there was a legal threat that was just a possible, explanation for the rapid, embarrassing climb down. But then again the T&G only seem to be interested in Midland car workers. When was the meeting to discuss the new proposals? When was the vote to stop the action? How come no one knew the action had been stopped? . Democratic union my arse.
December 14th Mr T gives his interpretation of what's been achieved by the T&G. He says…
Let's take a minute and look back over what has happened, first a company called PTS appears out of nowhere and tells the Liverpool hackney trade that they will be paying £2,600 year, for the privilege of a permit.
Second, they also state that the Liverpool trade would have to retrain to their specifications, non-negotiable,
Third, This company is called into a meeting between the council and themselves and it is made quite clear to them that the council are in charge of the hackney trade and that they WILL negotiate with the trade, to which they agreed.
4th, They attend a meeting with the T&G and told them that they must agree to their conditions otherwise a private hire company will be working the airport from the 1st January.
5th The T &G make it quite clear that they feel they cannot work with this firm and ask for a meeting with the airport manager representing Peel Holdings. no response
The T & G then call for a day of action giving plenty of time for a response,
Today, A meeting took place between the T&G, and the airport manager. PTS have now taken a back seat. nobody has ever said that they would not negotiate, what they have said is that they will not be dictated to,
It is my understanding that the permit system has been thrown out the window, and that a system which will allow All Liverpool Hackney's access to the airport is on the table, it would seem to me that they have achieved exactly what they intended.
December 14th, GMB asks the following questions. He states….
So conflicting reports?
Questions.
1. What was the possible legal action?
2. Who is the PHV Company being used as a threat?
3. Surely any NEW agreement will be put to ballot of the membership?
On December 18th the Liverpool Post reported a settlement had been reached. It stated…
HACKNEY cab drivers at Liverpool John Lennon airport have reached a settlement in a row over fees. A go-slow planned for Friday was called off at the last minute after a new plan to introduce a card-operated barrier to the taxi rank was agreed. This would mean black cab drivers buying credits for a swipe card which would allow them to gain entry to the rank and pick up passengers.
December 18th GMB raises several questions about T & G accountability, he asks? …..
Seems bloody strange, WHO voted for this sell out? When did the members meet? How can FULLTIMERS accept HALF a deal? Whose seen the proposals in writing? Do I detect the influence of licence holders who rent out and don't drive?
December 18th, I raise the question regarding the economics of the settlement and that the one pound charge suggested for each job could result in regular Airport workers paying more than they would under the original permit scheme. I stated…
Aren't ten jobs a little optimistic?
One pound per job is quite high I think Heathrow only charge 80p? Perhaps the Liverpool taxi trade should ask the Airport to give the drivers the option of a pay as you go scheme, or paying the original annual permit charge of £1,920 which would no doubt work out cheaper, providing you work the Airport on a regular basis?
On December 19th, Streetcars replies to GMB's questions regarding T & G accountability. He said….
No one voted as far as I know and no one seems to know when the meeting took place? It seems the entire work of bonehead Maguire but I could be wrong? I know with the odd exception, plate holders are a bunch of [edited by admin] but we can not put this travesty down to them.
December 19th, Captain Cab raises the point about the reality of the situation and asks that minds be concentrated on practical facts rather than unobtainable goals. He said…..
I see an awful lot of words but very little towards a grip on the reality of the situation.
The truth is, as the trade know fine well from other areas such as the Trafford Centre, Stanstead Airport, Blackpool Airport, the Metrocentre, Watford Station (need I go on?) that the position is weak.
The trade claim it can unite, yet will in the majority of areas, not think twice about shafting the guy in front.
Whilst the trade can make a hue and cry about free and open access, for the most part it is nothing more than lip-service, broken down in various areas of the country this actually means free and open access to a select group. Some people are more free than others?
If the T&G think a barrier system is best, I would tend to agree, because the alternative is worse.
Until such time as the government demand all vehicles serving transport interchanges are wheelchair accessible hackney carriage, as per the best intentions of the phase one requirements, the trade will always be in a position of weakness.
December 19th, GMB stated that union membership was the key in fighting these types of situations and that if you stick together you can't lose. He said….
If and its a big If, 90% of the drivers were in the union and prepared to stand up, no problem Peel don't even dream of it. Whilst any workforce is not UNIONISED it will lose. Which is why fleet plate holders continuously slate unions, its called GREED. I think the hacks should tell all and sundry to stick their proposals up their HARRIS. Were you to stick together you can't lose. Insist on meetings and a POSTAL BALLOT. Organise Against any union official who attempts to prevent such action. Out with the rulebook and challenge his authority.
Finally on December 20th, Mr T informs us of a meeting held at Transport house by one hundred licensed drivers who were mainly from the Airport and that those driver's who did not work the Airport, were not bothered. He said…
A Meeting was held at Transport House before they called for the demonstration, I believe that their are about 100 that work the airport and that was the figure that attended the meeting, it is not surprising because the drivers that do not work the airport were not really bothered,, In my opinion what is happening is simply a damage limitation exercise,
Perhaps from reading Mr T's last post on this matter the support from those drivers working the City was perhaps lukewarm to say the least and the ones driving this campaign were probably those with the most to lose, namely regular Airport workers? This would not surprise me in the least because we have seen it time and time again where fellow drivers could not give a chit about whether or not their colleagues were excluded from working a lucrative permit location?
Liverpool Airport were only ever going to issue a limited number of permits so the vast majority of Liverpool drivers would have been excluded in any case. As it stands now with a barrier being set in place and the charge reportedly to be in the region of one pound per fare, then those who work the Airport will be paying far more than they would have paid under the original permit system.
We shall have to wait and see how this situation plays out but one thing is for sure and that is Liverpool drivers will pay and there was never any doubt in my mind that they wouldn't?
Regards
JD
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