Taxi Driver Online

GMB BRANCH SECRETARY PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS BRANCH
THORNE HOUSE 152 BRENT STREET LONDON NW4 2DP
minimum wage do you pay it????????????????
How many of your drivers are 27???????????????????
Terence Flanagan but you already new that, so who are you??????????
07958 275 339 or 0208 202 8272!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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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.

If Mr Thumb is employing people as taxi or PH drivers then they surely meet the criteria set by his LA.

The LA can change the criteria should they feel it necessary, as a result of complaints etc.

Given last weeks government admittance about the inadequacies of the Home Office I dont think we should be throwing stones in the Greenhouse.

CC

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

Ah I see GMB Sec.

Your a preacher, not an actual driver or operator.

Yes i do pay in excess of minimum wage. Also pay ssp and 28 days holiday if you must know.

Following on Captain's point I consulted with my LA all the way and ensured that we could give them every assurance. I even offered to fly my Enforcement Officer to Poland with me for the interviews.

As for my identity, I will save that for people actually in the industry, not a leech on its back.

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A member of the Hire or Reward Industry

And as a footnote. When thedrivers presented themselves to our council the officer was amazed at the quality of the applicants and is happy with the process.

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A member of the Hire or Reward Industry

Exactly.

There is no reason whatsoever to presuppose that Mr Thumb has acted in anything other than a legitimate way.

It's not his fault that the system may have flaws and not his responsibility to rectify any faults.

There always seem to be plenty of drivers who have had CRB's in this country appearing in front of LA's, yet these people seem conveniently forgotton when it comes to the issues of East Europeans.

So long as the criteria has been fulfilled then there is no reason to suppose East Europeans are any worse than UK citizens.

Furthermore, I would suggest the person at the sharp end is Mr Thumb, its his customers who'll leave if they believe the drivers are rubbish, its his business that will be affected.

regards

CC

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

Thanks captain.

I have had three customers ring up and say they wouldn't be using my company any more because of Polish drivers.

Three of the most obnoxious dickheads we get crap and abuse from every week.

What a shame.

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A member of the Hire or Reward Industry

I had a similar experience with a customer regarding one of our Asian lads.

Perhaps we should list the reasons why people find it necessary to recruit from elsewhere, invariably the answers are unacceptable to many, because the truth plainly hurts.

CC

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

At last Tom answers, wasnt too painful was it, the one and only doubt we would have on your operation would appear to be Crim Checks.You would appear to be operating legally otherwise.My members believe Polish crim check inadequate, no doubt thats why you hide your identity for when the crap hits the fan.You believe Unions leech on the industry,NO we protect it many companies recognise that.So who are you HYPOCRITE.By the way i am a licencsed PH driver and have driven for 12yrs as a PH driver in London.
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.

FFS Terry, the Crim checks are not Mr Thumbs remit, there his Licensing Authority's.

If someone comes to him for a job with a badge, whats he supposed to do? Treat foreigners different? He's be in front of the race relations people quicker than you can say industrial tribunal.

CC

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

Capt obviously recognise NOT illegal,obviously IMMORAL, have the same situation in London.What Tom wont admit is that he knows its a dangerous arrangment.We fully accept that companies will be forced by commercial necessity down this road.But we are determined to establish a level playing field for the indigenous population.Currently this is the most delicate problem confronting us, no doubt the racist card will now be thrown at us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DECISIONS ARE TAKEN BY THOSE THAT TURN UP!!!!!!!!!!!!

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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.

Terry, for what its worth I dont think anyone is disagreeing with you.

All drivers should be subject to the necessary checks.

But if a driver applys for a license, its the job of the Licensing Authority to assess the applicants fitness and propriety.

The best advice of the Home Office and CRB people, is that the Certificates of Good Conduct produced from Poland (for example) are acceptable in lieu of a CRB.

Its in nobody's interest (not even Mr Thumbs) to take on people who will rob, rape and murder customers, presumably because the public dont like it and its bad for business.

What we all need to do is to ensure the Poles, Czech's and whoever else (UK citizens included) have background checks that are decent.

That I guess we can all agree on?

CC

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

Well GMB.

All I can do is evaluate the evidence in front of me. And after 25 years I follow my hunches.

There is no 'uneven' playing field. The Poles, when recruited lived in Poland and had never lived in the UK. It was my suggestion to get the Polish check done. If we had submitted a check to CRB they would have returned a completed certificate within weeks (the CRB told me this) because nothing would be found.

Next year they will have to have a CRB in this country. That will show one year's history. The CRB won't go any further back. So which would be safest?

Let me state this one last time, I am confident that the Polish good conduct certificate is equal in its merit to a CRB checkin the UK. If you saw the process in Poland you might agree as well.

By my reckoning you were an unlicensed driver for about 8 years. By the argument you are now using I can assume that you believe you were a risk to the public?

What this industry needs is quality, stable, career drivers. I started four Poles nearly five months ago on the evening shift and they are all still with me, as reliable as a rolex.

The four English drivers I managed to recruit before them lasted a total of 27 evenings between the lot of them. Their recruitment and training cost me a fortune. I knew they were unsuitable when I took them on but I thought I had no choice.

I now know I have a choice and next time I am recruiting I will advertise in the UK and Poland. And I will choose the best candidates.

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A member of the Hire or Reward Industry

Currently in London we have drivers being refused licences because of events more than 10 years ago, were that driver Polish hed be granted a licence, SAFE, FAIR,LEVEL PLAYING FIELD, obviously not.My members want it stopped IMMEDIATELY.We will do our best to ensure it is. We will be approaching Govt on this issue.I do recognise your problem, but attribute it too the appaling earnings,dangerous enviroment, and outrageous treatment many drivers receive at the hands of many companies[i am not saying you Tom do that] this is currently my most difficult issue.Still afraid to identify yourself why???????????????????????????
DECISIONS ARE TAKEN BY THOSE THAT TURN UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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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.

So you feel these guys who are being declined the chance because they committed an offence that is serious enough to still be valid in the LA's opinion should be given a licence?

Yes the pay is crap, yes the work can be dangerous. Don't blame individual companies for all of this.

We limit the danger and try to maximise the pay by aiming at the top end of the market. But even we find ourselves losing contracts with companies making 15 billion a year because we are 2 pence permile more expensive than a company with a record for dangerous driving and fraud.

As to my identity, it is my perogative.

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A member of the Hire or Reward Industry

Its my brother !

CC

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