PROTEST PLIGHT
BOLTON PH DRIVERS THREATEN TO CONTINUE TO STRIKE FOR NOMINAL FARE INCREASE TO MEET RISING COSTS
Private hire drivers went on strike for the second time in May, boycotting driving their vehicles from 6am Friday 28 May to 6am Saturday morning. The Bolton Private Hire Association says that they have not seen fares increase for taxi journeys for nearly four years, despite the cost of running their cars going up each year. Bolton News reports that according to the association many drivers, who have had their business devastated by the pandemic, are now struggling financial- ly due to the increasing costs. A spokesman for the association said: “We have been talking to the companies
that we work for and some even agreed to put the fares up at first but many have now gone back on their word. “Only United Taxis so far has said they will agree to the fare increase but we’re not happy until all have agreed. “Usually when one agrees all the rest follow, as drivers start moving to these companies but it hasn’t happened this time. Drivers have been struggling over coronavirus and business is only just starting to pick up slightly again. “Fares need to go up so drivers can provide for themselves and their fami- lies. Many companies seem to just be hiring more drivers to try and get more
business, but that just makes it worse for the drivers. “We understand that companies are trying to save money after losing busi- ness over coronavirus but the drivers are the business and so many are struggling to survive at the moment.” The spokesman added that without a rise in fares many drivers may look to move to other firms, especially Uber, after a High Court case determined drivers should be entitled to sick pay and holiday pay. The association said they would contin- ue to strike until fares are increased for all companies.
WAKEFIELD CABBIES STAY AT HOME PROTEST OVER CONTOVERSIAL SUITABILITY POLICY AND OTHER GRIEVANCES Wakefield cabbies’ grievances 44
Yaser Ahmed, Chairman of WDA, told PHTM: “Following our announcement for the first phase of our industrial action (stay at home strike), we have had some positive news with successful outcomes as the council has now agreed to rein- state some drivers who were suspended due to the points ban. We had notified Metro (West Yorkshire local authority transport services) to minimise disrup- tion and for their customers. “I’ve had opposition councillors and councillors from the treasury email me, stating that they wanted to open and engage in future dialogue. “Our main concern is that the ‘contro- versial’ Suitability Policy (formerly the Convictions Policy) needs repealing. The previous policy had all the safe- guards in place to ensure drivers/ applicants were fit and proper. Until the current policy is replaced with the pre- vious policy, nothing will change and the same situation will be repeated again and again. The Suitability Policy was pushed
through by a former advisor who had a financial interest as it meant that he and his associates would gain referral and representation work, which is unneceassary as shown from our over- turns achieved by ourselves as a drivers’ union. “This new policy also benefits the coun- cil, as it delays straight forward applications creating backlogs and more workloads for council staffers, which in effect keeps them in employ- ment. Our ring-fenced licence money is not being used/saved appropriately, but serving their own financial interests. Councillors are now understanding the controversy surrounding this policy as their colleagues were misinformed when they passed the changes. For example, three endorsement points are “spent” after three years by the DVLA/courts, whereas the council has extended this to seven years. It makes no sense and there is no public safety issue, as the council is only looking at cases as “renewals only”.
JUNE 2021
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