Taxi Driver Online

Taxi drivers stage 24-hour strike



Drivers at Tameside Taxis created their own picket line outside the firm’s Old Street premises in Ashton as they staged a 24-hour strike last Friday.

The drivers said they were taking the action, claiming the company had ‘forced through unfair working conditions’ without any consultation or notice.

The drivers claimed the firm had increased commission taken from drivers to an ‘unacceptable and unreasonable’ level.

They stated that many of them had been left struggling to make ends meet and the company was ‘turning a blind eye’ to their problems amidst the cost of living crisis.

One worker said: “Despite our best efforts to work with the company owners to resolve our concerns amicably, promises have been broken, drivers have even been suspended and we now feel our only option is to strike.”

Another driver said they had worked with the company for more than 20 years but had recently been sacked. He added: “They’ve blocked me on the PDA system and I can’t do any further work.

"What’s happened is that in Tameside, when I first started there were loads of taxi firms. If you got removed from one, you could go to another.

“Now it has been allowed for one or two people to buy out every other firm and we’re being sacked, one by one.

“As a company, they have to make a living too, so we don't mind increasing the radio rent but to an amount which is acceptable for us both, that’s all we’re asking for.

“We’ve tried to come to a peaceful resolution, we’ve tried to be reasonable, we’re not asking for the world.”

The strike action lasted from 6am last Friday to 6am the following day.

The drivers stated the following issues need to be resolved between the driver representatives and Tameside Taxis:

Health and Safety (with regard to abusive passengers and drop off locations)

Constant changes without any consultation with the drivers

Set fare

Night Tariff.

The drivers also acknowledged some improvements had been made in other areas in collaboration with the firm and they wanted to work with the ownership.

A spokesperson for the company said: “Tameside Taxis has, and still does, provide the cheapest prices for drivers to work in all of Greater Manchester.

“Some drivers were suspended for behaviour that fell below the company’s high standards.

“Drivers are always free to decide whether to work or not as they are self-employed.”

The company also described a figure for increased commission widely circulated online as ‘completely untrue’ and stated it was seeking legal advice.

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IDFIMH

An alternative article in the Tameside Correspondent (which I'm reading all the time, obviously ) says the commission rate has increased from 11 to 19%. Which is obviously a huge hike, if true

Also gripes about Wolverhampton-badged drivers working for the firm etc.

A fine body of men, though, and if you want to see more good quality photos of them standing around, then visit the link below


The company also described a figure for increased commission widely circulated online as ‘completely untrue’ and stated it was seeking legal advice.

https://www.tamesidecorrespondent.co.uk ... onditions/

DRIVERS working for one of the area’s main taxi firms have gone on strike – and taken their dispute to its head office.

People working for Tameside Taxis picketed outside its premises on Ashton’s Old Street as they walked out for 24 hours over conditions.

They claim raising the commission the firm takes from fares from 11 per cent to 19 per cent – at a time where energy the energy bills have more than doubled and the price of diesel has gone up by 50 per cent – has left them battling to make ends meet.

And the attitude of bosses – refusing to even acknowledge correspondence and even sacking some drivers – forced their hand.

There are also concerns Tameside Taxis are bringing in drivers from outside the area, with claims some are even working while registered in Wolverhampton – some 81 miles away.

Shah Amir Ali – who worked for the firm for more than 20 years, starting when it was known as Radio Cabs – says he has lost his job.

“I was sacked on Monday (January 30),” said the Dukinfield-based driver.

“We’re trying to put bread and butter on the table for our kids and families.

“I’d worked for the company for 20 years and they sacked me, they’ve blocked me on the PDA system and I can’t do any work.

“It’s not just me, other drivers have already been deactivated, meaning they can’t work either.

“And what’s happened is that in Tameside, when I first started there were loads of taxi firms. If you got removed from one, you could go to another.

“Now it has been allowed for one or two people to buy out every other firm – and this guy is sacking us, one by one.

“I’m out of a job. When you get sacked, you get nothing. What do you do?

“As a company, they have to make a living too, so we don’t mind increasing the radio rent but to an amount which is acceptable for us both, that’s all we’re asking for.

“We’ve tried to come to a peaceful resolution by sending them an email reply to a letter they sent, but they don’t even acknowledge receiving it.

“We’ve tried to be reasonable, we’re not asking for the world. All we’re asking is, ‘Be reasonable with us. We don’t want to strike or cause havoc for the general public.

“’We want to provide a service.’”

About 40 of Tameside Taxis’ drivers attended the protest as they staged a second strike – a walkout from 6am on Friday, February 3 until 6am on Saturday, February 4.

They issued their demands, including a reduction in the commission to 14 per cent, the halting of all arbitrary firings and the reinstatement of all drivers who have been suspended in all areas.

They also want to establish a joint committee, consisting of owners’ and drivers’ representatives to resolve any outstanding issues and all employees of Tameside Taxis to be handed copies of a policy describing the terms and conditions.

“Drivers are striking because of the company forcing through unfair working conditions,” Mr Ali added.

“They include an unreasonable, unacceptable 66 per cent rise in commission they take from us.

“Despite our best efforts to get in contact with them and get a peaceful resolution – sitting around a table and discussing it – they haven’t replied.

“We received a letter from management, saying, ‘You guys are striking, you should sit with us or come and talk to us and we can discuss what problems there are.’

“We decided to put ‘Tameside Taxis drivers’ at the top of pour reply, which is far enough as everybody’s scared of getting the sack or being suspended.

“As drivers, what else can we do? Where do we stand as drivers? We want to be on a level playing field and able to earn.”

The Correspondent has contacted Tameside Taxis offering them the right of reply, which they have not yet taken.

Think this is a perfect opportunity for those drivers to join up with one of the unions and look into the issue of ‘workers’ rights.

Then the firm will definitely be seeking legal advice.

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IDFIMH

You are self-employed guys.

Go solo or set-up a co-operative.

If the company is taking an unreasonable percentage tell them to shove it. If enough drivers did that they will probably reverse course pretty quickly, anyway.

Shame the Supreme Court takes a different view.

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IDFIMH