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GMB trade union argues against free for all for cabs
Last Post 10/02/2009 06:49 PM by GMB BRANCH PRESIDENT. 2 Replies.
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brightonbreezy
TF MVP
Posts:348
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08/02/2009 11:12 AM |
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Organisation: GMB
06.02.09
GMB trade union argues against free for all for cabs
GMB Trade Union has responded to a draft licensing policy for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers, by strongly arguing against the setting up of a free market across the area concerned.
Durham County Council which is to become the Unitary Authority for County Durham on 1st April 2009 has issued a Draft Licensing Policy for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers. This draft policy is now subject to public consultation with responses requested by 20th February 2009.
GMB has made a number of comments in its response. GMB has raised concerns regarding a potential free for all across County Durham. In addition the draft policy refers to all hackney carriages being of the same colour across the County and the GMB has suggested that this reinforces the view that the County Council favours a free market of operations.
Chris Jukes, GMB Organiser for GMB members working as Professional Drivers said, "The proposals in the Policy are troubling in certain respects as it is important that this is not a one size fits all arrangement, but respects the various areas of operation across the County. In particular we feel that professional drivers should be treated in an inclusive way in these proposals, but the way they are written, it seems that the proposals are very top down in approach. GMB would like to see the industry included more across the county in a sustainable public transport policy, as well as community engagement and regeneration.
Professional drivers have a lot to offer, not least in helping to promote the county to visitors perhaps from outside of the area and it is important that they are engaged in such a way".
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GMB BRANCH PRESIDENT
TF MVP
Posts:451
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08/02/2009 11:31 AM |
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The London Branch GMB-PDBs held its quarterly meeting to discuss ways in which they could best serve their ever increasing membership.The main discussion centred around vast numbers of private- hire drivers who are now suffering hardship due to the
recession,created in the main by greedy bankers and their rogue dealings causing many well respected high street brands to close their doors forever,and the unscrupulous agencies who constantly advertise for drivers despite not having work to ensure that the driver earns a living.These agencies,are greedily snapping up those personnel now flooding the labour market.The number of drivers currently licensed to operate in the capital stands at just over 52,000 and we are advised by the PCO that they are processing up too 900 applications every week.Given these figures it is easy to see that the earning potential of London's drivers is being seriously eroded ,and considering the bleak outlook being painted by many forecasters the down turn in the economy will continue to cause earnings to deteriorate.The committee adopted a motion that a cap is put on recruitment of new drivers and the subsequent issuing of licenses,immediately in order to protect the existing membership and drivers,thus avoiding the situation where some drivers are forced to work very long hours,and in doing so, perhaps compromising on sleep and rest periods in an attempt to survive.Traditionally this trade has been the focus for any one unfortunate enough to be out of work,it has been far to easy to become a private-hire driver,this has not really changed even licensing regulations has made little or no impact on the influx of applicants,you will be told that under current legislation no limitation is possible however with the political power of the GMB this can be achieved.
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GMB BRANCH PRESIDENT
TF MVP
Posts:451
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10/02/2009 06:49 PM |
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Job losses spark cabbie rush
SPIRALLING job losses caused by the recession have prompted a surge of new applications for private hire licences in Greater Manchester.
But one industry official is warning potential drivers that the streets are not paved with gold and it is no soft option.
Bryan Roland, general secretary of the Bury-based National Private Hire Association, said: "An average driver is having to work 16 hours a day to earn a reasonable living, and the situation is getting worse as more and more people come into the business."
Manchester council says that by the end of November it had received 577 applications for licences - equalling the total for the previous 12-month period from April to March.
If the trend continues, numbers could be up by 50 per cent on last year.
In Trafford, licence applications have more than doubled. Between January and the end of December 2007 there were just 40 applications. Last year, it was 103.
It is a similar situation in Tameside. From April 2007 to the end of March last year there were 147 new applications. A month ago, the number for this financial year was already 123, with three full months to go.
Salford has received 465 new applications since the start of the financial year last April. In the previous 12 months there were 398.
Stockport says it has seen no appreciable increase, with a steady flow of applications for private hire licences. But it says there has been a three-fold increase since 1992.
Oldham says its figures are relatively stable, and Bolton says it has seen a drop in the number of applications, which up to the end of November totalled 83 compared with 173 during the previous year.
Mr Roland, who worked as a taxi driver for 40 years, said: "It was ever thus. Whenever there is a downturn in the economy and redundancies are rife, people think of turning to driving for a living.
"I would say to anyone considering it that if it keeps you from desperation and county court judgements, go for it. But don't think for one minute it will be an easy living.
"Getting into driving is a big step. You have to pay for a criminal record (CRB) check, a medical, registration, and in Manchester you have to take a knowledge test. You may also have to take a driving test.
"The killer punch for many, however, is getting insurance. It could cost between £2,000-£3,000 if you're someone new to the game - especially working in inner-city areas."
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