GMB PERSPECTIVE LEGITIMATE EXPECTATIONS ALL ROUND
This is the first ofmany contributions to PHTM from the GMB, which is so active in industry campaigns nationwide, from all over the place - so we asked themto write about their various activities. Over to you: first contributor is Steve Garelick, GMB Regional Organiser.
A set of cases over the last few months has left many traditionalists in taxi and private hire disappointed, with Uber regaining a licence in London following their appeal against their
licence being taken from them.
No one denies the need for accessible plat- forms to make sure bookings can be made by the public in ways that suit them. The issue is how these platforms can ensure that the numbers of drivers are kept at reason- able levels so a living can be earned.
Frequently promises of gold at the end of the rainbow have been made to drivers - and to banks and fund managers – all of whom being told that passenger trans- portation is a get-rich-quick business. But this is far from the reality.
Whether a driver is out working at unsocial hours or having to forego celebrations or perhaps family time, the fact remains the work that licensed drivers carry out is one of the most dangerous, solitary and underval- ued that exists.
Those who choose to use our valuable ser- vice often have the expectation that they should pay the lowest sum possible, which is reinforced by operators often putting consumers ahead of the driver who carries out the job. A Derby company carrying out 90-pence minimums tells you all you need to know. How many journeys does a driver have to carry out at that rate to get any- where near minimum wage, let alone living minimum wage?
Then add in the UK-wide issue of runners which drivers face and the fact that compa- nies don’t care about drivers’ losses, and for the most part the crime is not reported to police due to the claim that the police sim- ply do not have the resources. Many drivers nowdo not bother to report these incidents.
Finally, add a national daily occurrence of verbal and physical assault that often goes
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unreported - or if the police do get involved, often unresolved to the driver’s satisfaction. How can we expect quality of life when faced with these issues?
It does not matter where you live in the UK - these are daily occurrences that should not be taking place. On a weekly basis issues such as this crossmy desk at GMB for action.
GMB Union are now keener than ever to see the trade rid itself of operators who push drivers around or do not show the respect these workers deserve; also the operators who flood circuits to see increased rent income or on an earlier point flooding an areawith drivers so the consumer has towait the minimum time for a booking request.
Operators who blacklist drivers such as those recently involved in the Wolverhamp- ton protests need to be named and shamed. There is no longer an appetite for those who are selfish to continue to take advantage.
Turning to the issue in the capital on emis- sions with the Mayor of London’s plans which are afoot to charge congestion fees to private hire drivers. As congestion charges take hold in London I am in no doubt that these will spread to other towns and cities.
The cost will not only be the private hire drivers; I am sure this will spread to the taxi fraternity too in time.
Additionally, London’s Mayor is also looking at 20mph speed limits. With the current gridlock experienced on a daily basis within Central London, this will add further incon- venience.
Whilst there are potential safety considera- tions and possibly emissions improvements, many motorists who have no alternative will face further sanction.
As charges are faced by driverswho less than four years ago invested in Euro 5 vehicles for private hire in London, these drivers can hardly afford a further tax on their livings.
The daily calls and emails of despair from both private hire and taxi members about the cost of a flooded market and the cost to themselves and their families is ongoing. Many are concerned about how long they can last despite claims of high employment; the reality intaxi and private hire is different. Recently I heard tell of an individual who
berated our members in Hemel Hempstead for wanting to have an exclusion zone for out of town drivers so that they could con- tinue to earn a living. Apparently this libertarian seemed to think it was OK to diminish income of local drivers so that oth- ers from outside could flood the area.
Clearly the need to leave an area inn which one holds a licence where no pre-booking is in place is not only nonsensical; it’s based on a selfish intention to deprive others of income who have taken a licence in the jurisdiction to earn an income.
It is clear that ideologues from the Adam Smith Institute and the Institute of Econom- ic Affairs want to dismantle borders based on the premise that it is better to help big business, hedge funds and brokers rather than the individuals on the coal face.
Drivers are looking into an abyss of their work being destroyed based on automation and a never ending spiral towards the bot- tom based on bargain basement rates. GMB Union is working at national and local gov- ernment levels to lobby and educate about these issues.
We are fortunate to have a legal cover that features the UK’s largest law firm co-owned by GBMand CWU helping ourmembers daily with licensing and police issues, as well as a teamof laymembers and organisers who are available to assist individual members.
As the UK’s second largest general union with over 617,000 members we are fortu- nate to have many members who are MP’s, AMs and Councillors who help with our work.We also have an ongoing engagement with Department for Transport and many local authorities.
Clearly more education and updates will help those who legislate, enforce and understand the perils of a job that few would want if they knew the unsocial hours, perils and pay issues drivers face with no option to get off the merry-go-round of low income work due to lack of alternatives, or a bias against those who have worked in pri- vate hire or as taxis.
GMB will continue to push forward on demand in improvements for driver welfare, income and wellbeing.
Steve Garelick Regional Organiser, GMB
steve.garelick@
gmbdrivers.org
AUGUST 2018
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