GMB PERSPECTIVE
ALL CHANGE FOR TAXI AND PRIVATE HIRE IN MANCHESTER CITY
GMB Union has worked with Manchester City Licensing Department and councillors to enable improvement in private hire and taxi service delivery.
Following a campaign from the GMB Union and its reps, Habib Rehman and Ali Haydor, on removing the operator livery on private hire vehicles throughout the UK, Manchester City Council (MCC) Licensing Com- mittee agreed to recommendations put forward by licensing officers to remove operators’ names and bonnet stickers, improve testing procedures and improve age limits and emissions legislation to assist drivers who are feeling the bite of the cost-of-living crisis.
In early 2023 GMB Union approached MCC raising concerns over the livery policy and has since worked with MCC to work on a change which would not compromise public safety but work for all stakeholders.
GMB Union has been working successfully with many local authorities to bring about change in the private hire industry. Currently GMB Union is working alongside many other authorities to help deliver change to the outdated livery policies and will announce them as and when they change with more in the pipeline.
The result of the decisions in Manchester, following previous success in Southampton and Oldham, will now mean that these drivers will no longer need to display operator stickers, freeing them up to work for more than one operator. They will also no longer be driving around advertising operators for free. This will give more passenger choice and speed of service too.
Habib Rehman, GMB Northwest and Irish Lead rep, said: “Manchester private hire drivers have been waiting for this change for a very long time. We at GMB Union welcome Manchester licensing department’s decision around signage on PHVs & Taxi issues and will continue working with them to bring about more positive changes.
“It’s great to see MCC leading and working with us on this campaign to support the private hire trade in the city. From everyone at GMB we would like to thank the
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licensing officers and the licensing committee for delivering this. Also, a huge thank you to the operators who supported us on this important change.
“Dave Lawrie of NPHTA supported the GMB Union’s position on removal of operator livery. We are here to support and work with others to try and bring about positive change in the industry. We at GMB Union will not support operator stickers anywhere on the vehicle.
“Since the huge increase of the GMB Union Taxi & Private Hire section due to our many successes, drivers now more than before are aware of their rights. They are aware that the control imposed by the single operator sticker signage policy is unjust. Private hire drivers desire more control over their working lives, including increased job security, more freedom and potential for higher pay and putting a stop to the behaviour of some operators who rule through a culture of bullying and fear.
“My colleague Ali Haydor, national Uber lead, has commented previously that, the trade has changed, as has the public’s and passengers’ behaviour. A change in policy does not compromise safety; on the contrary, it will enhance the enforcement of licensing policy and provide better ways to identify booked vehicles.”
Alan Collinge, Regional Officer responsible for Taxi and Private Hire, added: “This is part of GMB’s national strategy; our other great concern is driver safety as verbal and physical assault is a common issue which drivers face, CCTV and greater public understanding is required in solving this scourge.”
www.gmb.org.uk AUGUST 2023 PHTM
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