by John Kennedy

Now with rumours rife of a possible “drive-in” amongst the ranks of the capitals taxi-cab drivers I must ask the question is history repeating itself, didn’t the taxi trade have a big demonstration shortly after Ken Livingstone was elected as Mayor of London ? The difference this time is we seem to have a Mayor who as no axe to grind with the London taxi-cab driver yet even with Bob Oddy sitting on the board of transport for London the trades concerns appear to fall on deaf ears at Windsor house, although I must say having looked through minutes of recent board meetings very little is spoken of the taxi trade, this should concern us all.
 
History has a habit of repeating itself and I am hoping this trade hasn’t got to go through  the ritual of a mass demonstration to highlight its concerns every time a new incumbent takes office. For this not only bores Londoners to death but it demonstrates the failings of the Greater London Authority and transport for London, for no mechanism exists where the valid concerns of taxi-cab drivers can be dealt with properly. Instead the taxi trade is sent dic-tats from on high, politicians meet  discuss and then dream up ideas that have never even been shown let alone looked at in detail by a group of sensible hard working taxi-cab drivers.

Take the recent decision to grant operating licences to bars, clubs and restaurants seems like a reasonable decision until the operative employed is standing on the public highway “touting” now because the club has turned into a “mini-cab office” a long line of cars appears to form a rank outside these venues, illegality reins along with chaos all created because somebody dreamt up a wonderful idea and didn’t think of the ramifications for the London taxi trade, or did they ? You see amongst my ranks many  believe some politicians have it in for the trade, some civil servants too, even I’m afraid to say some local councils.

This trade though  is not without blame, the majority chose not to join a association or union, many don’t feel the need others chose to fight their own battles. I myself am about  to launch a low cost political lobby/pressure group and hope to take a lead role in laying better foundations for the  trade, not to change the world but to ensure the right mechanisms are in place so we don’t see recent taxi trade history repeating itself all over again. For my colleagues deserve better treatment and we should not need in the year 2009 to  have to revert to the industrial relations of the 1970’s but if those in power and authority fail to listen to legitimate concerns what action is left to a group of self employed workers.
 
Let’s break the cycle of groundhog day and campaign to bring about a structure that will spare the travelling public  the  legitimate moans and groans of the  capitals hard working taxi-cab drivers.