...PROTEST GETS RESULTS! FANTASTIC NEWS FOR WELSH DRIVERS
After months of fruitless email correspondence between UNITE the union WALES and the Welsh Transport Minister it became clear that no funds had been allocated to support welsh taxi drivers despite other transport sectors such as trains and buses being given extra help.
However, UNITE WALES refused to allow the trade to be ignored. They wanted an emergency bailout fund to be deliv- ered and launched a pro-active campaign. An online petition was set up; and a video produced where drivers talked about the stress of disappearing income, the pressure of meeting monthly business payments for vehicles and insurance whilst also trying to feed their families; resulting in many accruing large amounts of debt.
Meanwhile Yusef Jama, the secretary of UNITE Cardiff spoke out about the alarming increase in the number of drivers suffering anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts.
The campaign gained momentum and the backing of the public as it was widely reported on local television news channels, in local press and shared on social media.
Finally, a mass trade protest was announced which was promoted to hackney and private drivers across Wales with the message:
“WHICHEVER CITY OR TOWN YOU ARE IN… REALISE, ORGANISE, MOBILISE, BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE”
On Tuesday 24 November hundreds of hackney and private hire drivers poured into Cardiff and gathered peacefully in a unified show of strength outside the Welsh Government offices, whilst others drove by honking their horns to show their solidarity.
The protest was a success. See extract below from The Transport Minister, Ken Skates, Senedd statement issued on the very same day. This extract was tweeted by the Welsh Government with a message that funding support was avail- able and that each Council would provide more details.
“I’d first like to recognise the vitally important role that the taxi and private hire industry is playing during the where pos- sible. Covid pandemic, many have continued to work throughout obviously providing services that have enabled the delivery of vital goods, food and medical supplies. And we acknowledge that this is a financially difficult time for the industry with restrictions meaning usual customer demand is extraordinarily low. Last week I met with trade unions who updated me on the current challenges faced by the taxi and private hire vehicle industry due to the pandemic and we’ve endeavoured to provide assistance throughout the period where possible. In addition to the UK Government’s financial support schemes, I’ve made available funding through Phase 3 of our £200m Economic Resilience Fund, which includes a £25m lockdown discretionary grant scheme administered by local authorities. A number of taxi and private vehicle industry
DECEMBER 2020
have already benefitted from the lockdown business fund and also the Discretionary Assistance Fund. In addition, I can say that officials are urgently exploring options to provide high quality PPE, to assist the industry in protecting themselves and their passengers from Covid-19”
Welsh hackney and private hire drivers joined together and protested on mass. They made the Welsh Government take notice and they gained a positive result – possible access to two grants worth up to £4,000!!
FIRST GRANT: ALL drivers were given access to a grant of £1500 - £2000 via Lockdown Discretionary Grant.
Unfortunately, this grant was not widely publicised to drivers. Sadly, many were unaware of their eligibility and missed the opportunity to claim as the majority of councils have now closed the grant.
At time of print, grants are still available with the following councils: City of Cardiff, City of Swansea, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey, Rhondda Cynon Taff and Neath & Port Talbot.
SECOND GRANT: UNITE WALES have told PHTM that ALL Welsh hackney and private hire drivers will be eligible to claim a second grant of £1500 - £2000 with applications opening in a couple of weeks
BUT please note: Only limited funds available, grants are allocated on a first come first served basis; Welsh drivers please keep checking your council website for updated information to ensure you don't miss out.
It is also very important. to complete the application form correctly – click link
https://bit.ly/33PDAZZ to watch a video produced by UNITE WALES guiding you through the process .
PHTM and NPHTA have supported this campaign from the beginning and would like to thank the Welsh Government for listening and Cardiff Council for leading the way; A special thank you to UNITE WALES, in particular Yusef Jama who has worked tirelessly on behalf of the trade. If you want to join UNITE the Union click link:
https://bit.ly/36PJDzU
Let this achievement in Wales be an example to ALL our industry: A UNIFIED TRADE HAS A POWERFUL VOICE
Now is the time for the hackney and private hire trade nationwide to join together and shout with one clear message:
WE ARE AN INTRINSIC PART OF THE UK TRANSPORT NETWORK WE WILL NO LONGER BE IGNORED, FORGOTTEN AND NEGLECTED
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