Produced by
WORKING TAXI DRIVERS belonging to THE CAMPAIGNING PAPER FOR THE LICENSED TAXI TRADE
Cab Section APRIL 2013
UNITE WITH US FOR THE TAXI TRADE LOBBY OF PARLIAMENT 5pm 30th April 2013 5-7pm Committee Room 10 House of Commons AGAINST THE LAW COMMISSION THREAT TO THE UK TAXI TRADE! This is why you should be there! • LONDON IS INCLUDED. THINK NOT? THINK AGAIN! • NATIONAL PRIVATE HIRE LICENSING • NO LOCAL CONTROL OR ENFORCEMENT • A CROSS SECTOR HIRING FREE FOR ALL • PEAK TIME TAXI LICENSING • MINICAB ‘STREET’ BOOKING RANKS • MINICABS ABLE TO CALL THEMSELVES TAXIS UNITE THE UNION and its trade partners are calling on all UK taxi drivers to attend the trade lobby and protect their livelihoods by lobbying their MP’s that they should tell the Government to scrap its taxi and private hire review and the Law Commission’s devastating proposals.
See pages 2, 4, 8 & 9 for more on the Law Commission proposals and the trade lobby
APRIL 2013 – CAB TRADE NEWS – Page 2
Say NO to the Law Commission
Transport TAXI for London TESTING
Lobby of Parliament 30 April 2013 Committee Room 10 from 5pm–7pm Unite has organised a lobby of Parliament on 30 April in committee room 10 from 5pm to 7pm. In order to lobby your MP it is best to arrive from 2pm. Every taxi driver in England and Wales is welcome to attend to show your opposition to the Law Commission’s proposals and to tell the government that we want the Law Commission review to be scrapped. The Law Commission review should be replaced by the Transport Select Committee who initially made proposals regarding changes to the law that would see an ending of crossborder hiring. The original demands of Unite were to end cross-border hiring and to stop councils, such as Berwick, blatantly encouraging taxi owners to flout the law. The Transport Select Committee decided to review taxi and private hire licensing to look at the safety implications of cross border hiring and other practises such as the Berwick decision. After listening to all of the evidence from Unite and other taxi representatives, evidence from private hire and licensing authorities, the Select Committee decided that a change in the law was required to stop cross border hiring and to crack down on taxis being able to operate in areas they are not licensed for. None of these proposals would have affected London but would have solved serious problems for taxi drivers around the country. Unite simply asked that private hire should be compelled to return to their licensing area if they drop off outside of their area. This is exactly what taxis have to do in order to comply with the law. Unfortunately, the simple solution proposed by the Select Committee was not to the governments liking. They wanted a deregulatory approach that would hit taxi drivers and benefit private hire owners. So on the day that the Select Committee announced its findings, the government undermined them by announcing that they had asked the Law Commission to review taxi and private hire licensing. The Select Committee is answerable to parliament and comprises elected MP’s, the Law Commission is answerable to nobody and comprises unelected lawyers, barristers and judges. These are the people that the government wants to decide on your future. People who have no knowledge of the taxi trade, but have a dogmatic idea that the free market has all the answers. They have preconceived ideas that a deregulated open market will deliver the best taxi service for passengers, despite having no evidence to support this. From the very first time Unite met the Law Commission it was obvious they had no intention of listening to any reasoned argument but were set on finding solutions that fitted their pre-conceived view of free market ideology. So initially, they wanted a one-tier system, which is still their preferred solution, but found neither taxi nor private hire wanted this, so they were forced to accept a two-tier system, which we support. But they have still insisted that private hire will have lower standards than taxis. Private hire will have their standards set by the government with no local control by licensing authorities, whereas taxi standards will continue to be set by the local authority. So local authorities cannot make private hire more than one MOT whereas taxis can have up to three. Taxis can be made to be blue, green or whichever colour the authority wants, but they cannot do anything to private hire. You think of a condition and taxis will have to meet it, private hire will not.
MoT NSL Test debacle continues By PETER BOND Below are two quotes from Helen Chapman, acting General Manager LTPH, printed in another taxi trade publication… “…2 MOT’s per annum, plus a taxi specific check by TfL, through our agents, NSL Ltd…”
On top of this private hire will be licensed nationally, whereas taxis will be licensed locally. Private hire will be allowed to pick up anywhere in the country unlike taxis which, quite rightly, will still be restricted to their licensing area. This will also apply to private hire operators and drivers. They will have no boundaries. How this makes travelling safer for the public is a mystery to all except the Law Commission. They have no explanation of how a driver from Carlisle will know how to work in London and how a passenger in London in a Carlisle vehicle will be able to complain. It is a recipe for disaster. Private hire will be able to sub-contract jobs around the country leading to a complete shambles of any licensing system. There will be no accountability to any licensing authority even the one that they are licensed by. The Law Commission offer no explanation of how fees will be collected by a licensing area that does not licence vehicles but has to enforce vehicles from outside their area working in their area. It is likely that a Berwick type licensing authority will licence all private hire vehicles, drivers and operators, with a few areas licensing everything. It won’t make any difference to the private hire driver or operator where they are licensed as they will be allowed to work anywhere. So some authorities will have lots of money with no vehicles, drivers or operators to enforce whilst other areas will have lots of vehicles, drivers and operators to enforce with no income to pay for it. The Law Commission have no explanation of how his problem will be solved. This is just one of many points that Unite has raised that the Law Commission cannot answer. It is a disgrace. The Law Commission propose to stop councils from limiting numbers. This is despite the Transport Select Committee over-ruling the Office of Fair Trading on this issue in 2007. The explanation is the Law Commission has resurrected a failed idea that has been totally discredited, but it fits the Law Commission’s ideology so it must be correct even if it does not work. The fact that removing quantity controls on the number of plates will destroy the living of those taxi drivers affected is not a factor the Law Commission is interested in. All of this and the Law Commission admits that competition will not increase and the likelihood is that there will be an ‘Arrivaisation’ of the private hire industry where there will be fewer and fewer companies until a small number of operators will dominate the national market. There is a lot more to be worried about. You need to protect your future by joining Unite on the taxi lobby of parliament on April 30. The more drivers that come to the lobby the more likely the Government is to drop the Law Commission investigation. We can defeat the Law Commission but only with your help. Join Unite now and get involved.
“Of course there is still a need for TfL to inspect all taxi-specific items that are over and above the MOT testing system at least once and issue the taxi licence plate, but I want to reiterate that this is not a repeat of the MOT or a mechanical test in any way. This is a simple, shorter test that will look at the taxispecific elements such as meter and signage.”
Of course we have no problem with either quote, it is exactly what we, the United Trade Group (UNITE the UNION, LCDC, LTDA), agreed to some time ago. i.e. ‘TaxiSpecific’, no duplication of any item already tested/checked during either of the 2 MOT tests, unfortunately Helen has either been misinformed or doesn’t understand that the items listed will be “a repeat of the MOT” and do contradict her statement “or a mechanical test in anyway”!!!!
Engine, gearbox, axle, differential and transmission mountings, Fluid leaks, Lights/lenses, dashboard-warning lights, Wipers/washers, Horn, Mirrors, Handbrake locking mechanism, Window mechanisms, drivers seat adjustments, Tyres/Wheels. You can download the taxi test manual for NSL test from cabtradenews.co.uk and check sections 3, 4, 7 and 8, to find the above items. These are duplicated on the NSL test, that you will already have paid £54.85 for each of the 2 MOT tests…only to then pay another £102.00 for the same items to be tested again by NSL, possibly even on the same day!! With the support, once again of the LTDA & LCDC, we at UNITE the UNION, have escalated our complaint to Mayor Johnson’s senior advisors as this situation is unfair and definitely not what we agreed to. Along with our demand for a refund to those drivers who have paid £154.00 for their NSL test just because they booked it before April 2nd… if you book your test from April 3rd onwards it reverts to £102.00, a situation that has to be against any form of natural justice. Although Helen Chapman and John Mason have always been amenable and available, to respond to any unfair treatment by SGS in the past and surely will be with NSL. The fact that John Mason has now moved on to take on more responsibilities within TfL, just proves our point, and worry, that the NSL manual is permanent but the people are temporary. Any new Director in the future at LTPH would be within their rights to implement to the letter the NSL manual without the flexibility promised by the current incumbents, which could prove very costly for the Taxi Trade.
LTPH Notice 12/13 Transport for London TAXI PRIVATE HIRE
London Taxi and Private Hire
Update on temporary measures implemented to assist driver during The London Taxi Company administration process This Notice is issued to update the taxi trade on measures taken by TfL to assist those drivers and garages adversely impacted by the London Taxi Company entering administration. The London Taxi Company exited administration on 1 February 2013 when Chinese automobile manufacturer Geely acquired the business and the principal assets of Manganese Bronze Holdings. TfL have been in discussions with the new management of the London Taxi Company and they are back in operation in London from their Brewery Road site. LTC have informed TfL that they have been actively taking order for new and used taxis and they have good levels of stock available to drivers. During the administration period TfL took steps to assist drivers and garages including:
Allowing Euro 4 taxis to be licensed for up to 5 years where as the minimum emissions standard for taxis new to licence is Euro ● Issuing some temporary licences to taxis impacted by the 15 year age limit which expired on 14 March 2013 Given the positive trading situation with London Taxi Company and the on going availability of new and used Mercedes via KPM with immediate effect TfL will not be issuing any further temporary licences or extensions to existing licences for taxis over 15 years old and will no longer accept any taxis new to licensing unless they meet Euro 5 standard. ●
John Mason, Director Taxi and Private Hire, 15 March 2013. For previous TPH Notices visit www.tfl.gov.uk/tph
APRIL 2013 – CAB TRADE NEWS – Page 3
ROS WYNNE-JONES Ros Wynne-Jones writes the Real Britain column every Wednesday in the Daily Mirror campaigning against government cuts and standing up for ordinary people. The Daily Mirror has launched a new editorial page sponsored Unite aimed at highlighting the effects of Government cost-cutting. Real Britain will be written by campaigning journalist and author Ros Wynne-Jones, who worked the Mirror fulltime until 2008. The weekly column aims to highlight the “harsh effects” that cuts are having on communities across the UK. Lloyd Embley, editor-in-chief of the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror and Sunday People, said: “We have already used Real Britain for
a series of investigations into the state of the nation and we wanted to make it a permanent fixture as it fits perfectly with the core values of the Daily Mirror. “I’m delighted Ros is joining us again as she is quite simply the best at reporting on how serious issues impact on ordinary people.” Len McCluskey, General Secretary of Unite, said: “The Mirror has a strong tradition of campaigning journalism and Unite is proud to support its new weekly column Real Britain.’’ Real Britain will appear in the Mirror every Wednesday.
www.unitetheunion.org
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APRIL 2013 – CAB TRADE NEWS – Page 4
CTN Comment
To The Wire! By FRANK HULL
Lobby of Parliament 30 April 2013 The provincial trade must protest against the proposal to take away a local authority’s right to limit fleet numbers. We have felt, some are still suffering, the serious financial effects of delimitation this Law Commission has not! Therefore it should not be allowed to legalise such a heartless proposal... We will. Nay Must!
Fight this proposal to the wire. When we all heard of a Law Commission looking at taxi law we all thought that something legal would come about, like, for instance, outlawing cross-border hiring. Well we are not going to be disappointed for the Commission seems to be implying that this practice will be legalised. To us something vital seems to be missing from this Law Commission; that is, of course, a voice with practical experience of the taxi trade in this country. We were pleased to hear that the Law Commission believed in continuing with a two tier system. However, it went on to suggest a National PHV Licence. This we know will have an adverse effect on that two tier system. Whilst this might be good news for all of those PHV fleet owners, it is bad news for us taxi drivers and would prove to be a nightmare for those who administer this trade, including diminishing local police forces. The Commission has stated that the new laws will focus on less regulation. Yet in the same breath, it talks of taxi circuits having to hold an operators’ licence. This proposal has been argued several times in court and was resolved with the Brentwood case that found that licensed taxi circuits do not need operators’ licences. PHV drivers do not legally have to work on a circuit they can work on their own but they must have an operators licence and keep records If operator licensing is introduced into the taxi trade it is difficult to see how individual taxi drivers who take private bookings could be treated any differently to the PHV driver. Perhaps the thought is to allow any individual PHV or taxi driver to undertake private bookings without legally having to have an operator licence. In the meantime we see another nightmare emerging... We have mentioned here just a couple of things from these proposals that concern us. They should concern every licensed taxi driver in this country; for whilst they will directly affect the provincial taxi trade they will also indirectly affect metropolitan taxi trades. Over the run up to April 30th, we will be up and down the country pointing out other proposals from the Law Commission that should concern us all.
Some of these, as we have said, we will fight up to the wire! If you want to unite with us and get the Law Commission’s proposals stopped, fill in the form on Page 15.
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APRIL 2013 – CAB TRADE NEWS – Page 5
Peter J Rose
JOIN THE
Secretary UNITE Cab Section, London Branch
A ROGUE BY ANY OTHER NAME @peterjrose1 I couldn’t help but smile when I read an article posted on the CIO, business technology website (http://www.cio.com.au). The post was about taxi hailing apps, more precisely about a late comer to the market. Radio Taxis Group are about to launch a long overdue taxi booking app on to the market, its name? Well after what would seem to be much deliberation and in the face of many snappy app monikers, they have decided upon the highly original, “Radio Taxis, London’s Black Cab”. First thought is, let us hope they have more than one? Otherwise, the venture would seem to be doomed before it starts. Another problem for them will be how, as an existing radio taxi circuit they view this new way of hailing or booking a taxi in the first place. The CIO article quotes Radio Taxis Chairman as describing these new services as “Rogue Apps” and that they had seen enough of them. You have to sympathise a bit with that view. There you are in total control, You have the radio circuit, a very expensive thing to set up, you have the drivers, where else can they go, when all of a sudden some geek with a laptop and a Smartphone comes up with a way to connect taxi drivers with their customers directly. No booking fee or maybe a very small one, no administration fee, no VAT, etc etc. More than that no guarantied revenue to gain by charging drivers a subscription fee for the radio circuit ‘service’ No wonder they call them ‘rogue’. They are swimming against the status quo, offering a service with no hidden extras, for not only the consumer but the driver also. Twenty years ago, London’s streets were full of radio circuit cabs; every other cab seemed to have a circuit logo on it. There were even waiting lists to get on them. Over time, this has changed. Minicabs got licensed; legitimised and the radio circuits saw this as a way to tap into a new revenue streams. Drivers were told that their circuits would have to ‘get into’ private hire. “If our circuit doesn’t, the others will, and we will get left behind” they were told. Perhaps the management of the circuits actually believed that, perhaps they still do, let us give them the benefit of the doubt. However, the result of the move has been a decline in the number of drivers on ‘radio’. Drivers started having their cab’s radio equipment stripped out as they saw more and more of the work they had been doing going into private hire. Private hire that in many cases had been supplied to their former customers by their own radio circuit. Consequently, the radio circuit waiting list reversed. Drivers were and are, now on waiting lists to come off the circuits. As radio circuits have been losing drivers, and since the licensing of private hire, sorry minicabs, at least one minicab circuit has been doing very well. Growing and growing. So much so that it is now that firms circuit logo you see on the back of what seems like every other car. So big is it now that it doesn’t think twice about challenging the authorities
regarding the use of bus lanes etc. Fortunately, it hasn’t won yet, so far! So big has it become that when drivers do manage to land the odd ‘radio job’ it’s no surprise to find that when they arrive at the pickup address the cab is outnumbered, 3, 4, 5 – 1 by this company’s vehicles. No wonder taxi drivers were wondering if the days of booking a taxi by phone was finished. Fortunately, something has changed. Enter the apps and a customer reconnection with the concept of booking a taxi by phone. Over the last twelve months or so there has been a phenomenal growth in the number of people, taxi customers using apps to order cabs. True first to market was our very large minicab company with an app that everyone was talking about, taxi radio circuit drivers were asking, “Where’s our circuits booking app?” Sadly, in these days of, things needing to be done yesterday the circuits were slow to respond. Only now are they beginning to roll their own versions of the booking app, let us hope it is not too late. It’s going to be an up hill struggle, especially if they want to attract new radio circuit drivers with their apps Unfortunately, for them, these days’ drivers don’t need to pay expensive radio circuit fees or have ‘fitted equipment’ in their cabs to connect with their customers or take credit cards. They don’t need the circuits to keep in touch with each other; radio circuits used to provide that service too. The Circuits have been replaced on that front by the mobile phone, now smart-phones and using Twitter, BlackBerry, Whatsapp etc is the way drivers keep in touch. Obviously not whilst driving. Google has replaced the circuit control room staff reaching for the phonebook when you don’t know the address of a new nightclub. Radio circuits need to offer drivers more. A friend of mine recently came off his circuit after many years, because it wanted to place a credit card terminal in full view of his ‘street customers’. Are they trying to convert their drivers ‘street cash work’ into a, we take 10% of the total credit card work, surely not? Although he is now off the radio, he refuses to embrace the apps. He thinks they will be a passing phase. He may be right, I don’t agree. I think apps are going to be around a long while yet. Perhaps they will evolve; perhaps they will change, perhaps becoming more like old style radio circuits themselves. There is one ‘app’ service out there that already uses a ‘free to the driver’ dedicated tablet rather than the drivers phone to deliver work. Let’s hope not. Let’s hope they stay faithful to the industry that gave them the business opportunity in the first place, the taxi industry. Lets hope that via the Law Commission they are not ‘forced’ to offer the apps to private hire because the Law Commission sees them as being anti competitive and should be available to both trades, let’s hope not.
UNITE THE UNION
CAMPAIGNING UNION CAB SECTION
FOR TAXI DRIVERS THE TAXI DRIVERS’ UNION
WHAT IT COSTS £13.96 (Unite Core) per month (includes a Section Fund of £3.00 per month)
or with Driver Care £17.42 (Unite Core) per month
AS A MEMBER YOU WILL RECEIVE UNITE Knowledge and Services Driver Care For as little as 80p a week, UNITE Driver Care gives you a specially tailored cover of £7,000 should you lose your driving license due to injury, disability, illness, poor eyesight or assault, subject, to the Terms and Conditions of the Driver Care Scheme. As well as loss of license cover UNITE Driver Care also provides financial cover for legal costs you may incur whilst working as a professional driver.
First rate skills at all levels, in dealing with the: London Taxi and Private Hire (LTPH) Transport for London Government Department for Transport Police Local Councils Licensing Authorities Rail Franchises Airport Authorities European Commission
Free Legal Advice and Assistance On any matter relating to your work as a taxi driver or anything else you need advice on UNITE CareXpress provides an easily accessible free legal helpline. The UNITE also provides a Free Will Service.
on such issues as: Fares Vehicle design Ranks Bus Lanes, Traffic schemes Licence appeals, etc.
Accountancy Martin Cordell provides a comprehensive accountancy service for only £350 (VAT inclusive) per year for UNITE members.
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The UNITE the Union Cab Trade Advisory Committee administer the Section Fund on behalf of the Cab members in London & Eastern. UNITE the Union seeks to obtain the best possible deal for union members it cannot, however, accept any liability for the benefits provided by outside organisations. To apply, please complete the application form on Page 11
Be seeing you on the 30th.
APRIL 2013 – CAB TRADE NEWS – Page 6
First TX4 Handed Over
LTPH Notice 11/13 Transport for London
London Taxi and Private Hire
TAXI PRIVATE HIRE
Taxi Fares and Taxi and Private Hire Licence Fees Update The Transport for London (TfL) Board has now approved changes to the taxi and private hire licence fees and taxi for 2013/14. This notice sets out a summary of the changes that will come into effect in April 2013. New licence fees will be applied from 2 April 2013 and the revised taxi fares and tariffs are valid from 6 April 2013: Taxi and Private Hire Licence Fees The annual review of licence fees has been undertaken and changes have been approved by the TfL Board. The review ensures that the fees must be calculated to fully recover the cost of providing the licensing services. The changes to licence fees include: ● A reduction in the licence fee for taxi and private hire vehicles respectively. This is as a result of the introduction of the new inspection service. This reduction includes the capital costs for the introduction of the new service, expanding the number of inspection centres available and improved the facilities available at each of these sites; ● A reduction in the private hire driver licence fee to reflect the continuing high volume of applications for these licences and to reduce the surplus income in this area, it was considered that this reduction should take effect in April 2013: ● An increase in Knowledge of London written examination and appearance fees to further reduce the subsidy from licensed taxi drivers; and ● An increase in private hire operator and variation fees to better reflect the
compliance activity that takes place in this area. Full details of the new licence fees, which will be effective from 2 April 2013, are enclosed in Appendix A. Taxi Fares The changes approved by the Board include: ● A 1.7% increase to taxi fares ● A 40 pence additional charge which will be implemented only if London retail diesel prices (as measured by the Arval index) reach 180.3 pence/litre ● An 80 pence increase to the Heathrow Airport extra, which covers taxi journeys starting from Heathrow Airport, taking this from £2.40 to £3.20 Full details of the new tariff rates are enclosed in Appendix B along with average and example fares. The increase to taxi fares is calculated using the Cost Index and combines changes in the costs of operating a taxi in London with national earnings to produce a change in average fares. The new taxi fares and tariffs come into effect on Saturday 6 April 2013 so you need to have your meter updated on this date or as close to this date as possible. A copy of the fares consultation paper is still available on the TfL website here . The papers considered by the TfL Board in respect of taxi fares and taxi and private hire licence fees are available here. John Mason, Director Taxi and Private Hire, 12 March 2013. For previous TPH Notices visit www.tfl.gov.uk/tph
Appendix A: Licence Fees applicable from 2 April 2013
The first TX4 of the newly re-launched London Taxi Company has been handed over to driver-owner of 3 years, Mr David Scragg. David, who spent 27 years in the printing industry, working on titles such as the Guardian, the Express and the Star, took ownership of his Aero Blue ’13 plate TX4 Elegance Auto at Brewery Road on Thursday 21 March. Commenting on his purchase David said: “I can’t believe I got the first one and I can’t wait to get it out onto the ranks. The first thing that the other drivers will look at is the ’13 plate!” David was handed his keys by UK Customer Relationship Manager Lorenzo Bugliari, who said: “We’ve spent the last three weeks, working hard, taking orders and meeting new and old customers, which has been great. But I’m over
the moon that we have started to hand vehicles over now; this will be the first of many.” Customers are being advised that there is 2-3 week waiting period for new vehicles, as all existing stock now has to go through a stringent vehicle preparation inspection, which also includes the fitment of components of improved quality. New vehicles can still be bought through the £135 per week PCP deal, which includes a four year extended warranty with the option to buy the vehicle for a guaranteed residual value, trade up or simply walk away at the end of the term. To find out more or to make an appointment, drivers can contact the Customer Relationship Team on 0207 700 0888 or email london@london-taxis.co.uk; alternatively, information and updates are also available at www.london-taxis.co.uk
London Taxi Company launches TX4 enhancement programme Customers looking to buy a new TX4 from The London Taxi Company can do so now with some added reassurance and with no change to the list prices. As well as the comprehensive 3 year, 100,000 mile vehicle warranty and 3 year unlimited mileage core engine warranty, the company has now confirmed that all new TX4s have had steering boxes, radiators, interior trim, check-straps and turbo hoses replaced with components of improved design and superior quality. Commenting on the improvements, UK Retail Director, Rob Laidler said: “This is the first demonstration of our commitment to improve product quality. We are well aware that it is easy to pay lip service and talk about our aspirations to improve the durability of our product. “We wanted to be able to show the trade tangible improvements as soon as possible after we re-launched as a company.” All new TX4s purchased from the recently reopened London Taxi Company dealerships across the UK have received the refinements. Customers are being invited to visit their closest branch to see the improvements for themselves. TX4 Elegance (Automatic) is still available from £35,995 or from just £135 per week - for more information, please call 0207 700 0888 (London), 02476 572040 (Coventry) or 0161 831 3434 (Manchester), or alternatively, visit www.london-taxis.co.uk
APRIL 2013 – CAB TRADE NEWS – Page 7
Free credit card facility – Why wouldn’t you? We’re convinced we have a good thing with the cab:app free credit card facility and that it’s easy to use, turns out we’re not alone: James in Norwich Tweeted ‘@cabapp I just used the credit card facility on the app . . . very easy and pain free for the customer !’ Michael in Coventry says ‘I’ve just taken my first card payment using @cabapp - customer was quite pleased not to have to go to the ATM in the cold :-)’ Tony in Bournemouth sums it up ‘I just let a £100 fare go yesterday but now I’ve downloaded cab:app that won’t happen again’ Ross in Birmingham ‘pulled off third from the rank front two cabs couldn’t take the credit card job – brilliant@cabapp’ We know that payments are processed 3 times per week because we do it in house but it’s more powerful to hear that from the drivers across the UK and Ireland. Gavin in London ‘Very good for credit card fares @cabapp, money in within 2 Days to drivers and that the system is very easy to use’ Mike tweeted ‘Superb! Dropped @cabapp job off last night at 23:45, money in bank this am’ Lee in Kent ‘again @cabapp demonstrates it's by far the fastest payer of funds. . . . A transaction fm y’day arrives in my acc today #supportitfolks’ Ross in Essex ‘Can I just say what a fantastic cc service @cabapp is, quick and easy to use, and they pay 3 times a week #nobrainer’ Use the credit card facility across the UK and Ireland and feel confident in the knowledge that all transactions are secured by Datacash – a MasterCard company who process a billion transactions per year. With a low 3.9% charge to the passenger you know your giving them a fair deal. cab:app inventor and Hackney driver Peter Schive commented ‘as a London cabbie for over 10 years I wanted to develop a payment facility that was fair, transparent and secure to help fellow drivers offer improved services at a lower cost to passengers. I’m proud to say that cab:app has achieved this and is now available to all Hackney carriage drivers and passengers across the UK and Ireland.’ At cab:app we pride ourselves on providing the sort of customer service we would expect to receive and we thank Andy for his comment on Facebook ‘had a problem today 1e-mail to Peter at cab:app all sorted no problem at all for them. So if you’re not signed up get signed up, great team to do business with thanks again’ To download just copy the link to your phone http://tiny.cc/cabappdriver or go to the app store and search on 'cab:app for drivers’. Visit us www.cabapp.net Follow us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/cabapp And on twitter https://twitter.com/cabapp
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APRIL 2013 – CAB TRADE NEWS – Page 8
Law Commission threa
Sign the Petition agains Unite activists travelling the cou nite activists are travelling around England and Wales to visit every town and city to visit taxi drivers and explain the Law Commission proposals to them. Unite has organised a petition to MP’s and parliament asking for the government to scrap the Law Commission and replace it with the Transport Select Committee recommendations. (See page 2). We want as many drivers as possible to sign the petition in as many licensing areas as possible to ensure that we reach as many MP’s as possible. The taxi lobby of parliament is on Tuesday 30th April and in
U
the next 4 weeks Unite members will be asking you to sign a petition and to putt a window sticker in your cab. It is your future and you need to protect it. If you want to help build the lobby in your area then please contact one of our Unite activists as shown on the map or contact Cab Trade News, cabtradenews@aol.com It is only by you getting involved that we can win. So sign the petition, come to the lobby of parliament on the 30th April and join Unite. If you arrive at 2pm you will be able to lobby your MP. Stand up now and make a difference.
APRIL 2013 – CAB TRADE NEWS – Page 9
at to the UK taxi trade
st the Law Commission ntry to build lobby of Parliament Visit our facebook page facebook.com/nosubmission2lawcommission or the Cab Trade News blogsite cabtradenews.co.uk for further news and updates.
nosubmission2lawcommission
cabtradenews.co.uk
North East contact: Paul Landau, 07456 171315 Paul.Landau@unitetheunion.org
North West contact: Tommy McIntyre, 07778 784992 Thomas.McIntyre@unitetheunion.org
West Midlands contact: Tommy McIntyre, 07778 784992 Thomas.McIntyre@unitetheunion.org
Yorkshire & Humberside contact: Paul Landau, 07456 171315 Paul.Landau@unitetheunion.org
East Midlands contact: Tommy McIntyre, 07778 784992 Thomas.McIntyre@unitetheunion.org East of England contact: Ben Fuente, 07976 669071 minnieben3@hotmail.com
Wales contact: Micky Samroo, 07725 741952 msamroo@hotmail.com
South West contacts: Steve Fricker, 07940 547007 Perry McMillan, 07751 702478 mcmillan234@btinternet.com
South East contact: Mike Hedges, 07958 224878 Mike.Hedges@unitetheunion.org
London contacts: Peter Rose, 020 3589 0322 Peer.Rose@unitetheunion.org Mike Hedges, 07958 224878 Mike.Hedges@unitetheunion.org
APRIL 2013 – CAB TRADE NEWS – Page 10
Britain’s badly behaved commuters: A third don’t feel guilty about dangerous driving. John Russell: announced as the new Chairman of the West Midlands Manufacturing consortium Mr Russell, who previously held senior positions at Manganese Bronze, Harley Davidson and Land Rover, aims to unleash the West Midland’s engineering potential. The former electrical engineering graduate is keen to use his position at the helm of WMMC to help create the right climate for growth by ensuring manufacturers receive the specialist assistance they need to expand and create jobs. “Manufacturers aren’t looking for handouts, they are just looking for help with key issues that are holding them back. This is where I believe we can make a real difference,” said Mr Russell. “The WMMC’s main role is to deliver the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) in the West Midlands, North West and the North East and we’re currently supporting in excess of 4000 companies ever year.” “This is having a real impact as millions of pounds have been added to the three regional economies as a result of MAS support.” Mr Russell’s last role before becoming chairman of WMMC was as chief executive of Manganese Bronze, the firm that produces the iconic London black cab. While at the helm, Mr Russell managed
The top five bad commuter behaviours are: 1. Speeding (30%) 2. Careless driving (14%) 3. Travelling too fast for the conditions (14%) 4. Tailgating (13%) 5. Not looking when changing lanes (13%)
to overcome a difficult period in the company’s history and transferred ownership to Chinese firm Geely to ensuring production stayed in Coventry. Lorraine Holmes, chief executive of WMMC said: “We are delighted to have John Russell on board. His experience in industrial roles across the world, combined with his spell as chairman of CBI West Midlands, make him the perfect individual to take us forward.”
Commuters may however have been twisting the truth about their bad habits, as although nearly a third (30%) admitted to speeding, more than half (55%) have seen other drivers exceed the speed limit. And the bad habit bluffing doesn’t stop there: ● 5% admit they have jumped a red light – 38% have seen other commuters do this ● 4% have applied make-up – 22% have seen other commuters do this ● 2% say they failed to stop at a give way sign – 22% have seen other commuters do this
More than half of British commuters (52%) are in too much of a hurry to drive safely and are blaming their bad driving on a lack of concentration (30%) and being tired (27%). The commuting environment impacts the workplace as almost half of drivers (43%) believe that their commute affects their mood and can negatively impact their work. Natalie Woods, of Allianz Your Cover Insurance said: “Our research found that British commuters feel they drive carelessly during their journeys due to rushing and tiredness. This is supported by police road accident statistics which show that 46%* of accidents can be attributed to careless driving. We urge drivers to take a careful and considerate approach to their driving in order to reduce accident rates and improve the experience of all their fellow commuters and drivers. One in ten (13%) have witnessed an accident on their way to work – not the kind of start to the day anybody would want.” Despite witnessing the bad habits of their fellow commuters, one in four (27%) hope that a driver would stop to help them if they were in need, a lot less (15%) have actually pulled over to help. The main reason for continuing their commute instead of helping a fellow commuter is to avoid being put in danger (43%). With safety being top priority breakdown services can help out those in need enabling other drivers to continue their journey. Other reasons given for not stopping to help fellow commuters are not knowing how to help (27%), followed by being in a rush (27%).
Published: 20th March 2013 at 9:15am by Harry Dalton. www.themanufacturer.com
Motorists want government to reinvest in roads Ninety-one per cent of motorists do not trust the government to reinvest money made from tolls on new roads, according to a survey by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM). Sixty per cent of motorists do not support toll roads, and seventy-nine per cent of motorists would not support the introduction of tolls on existing roads. Forty per cent of motorists would back more expensive tax discs instead of charging tolls on roads. Forty-one per cent wouldn’t support toll roads even if other types of tax were reduced. Motorists were divided on using toll roads. Forty-seven per cent of motorists said they don’t plan their journey to deliberately avoid using toll roads, while forty-four per cent of motorists do.
UK commuters are behaving badly behind the wheel, with 65% admitting to their own bad driving behaviours over the last year, dispelling the patient and polite British persona. Rushed and stressed commuters don’t feel guilty about driving dangerously or being distracted on the road as they race to get to the office on time, according to new research from car insurance provider Allianz Your Cover (www.yourcoverinsurance.co.uk). In fact a fifth (21%) blame their poor habits on other commuters.
Motorists feel strongly about toll roads in their local area. Fifty-six per cent of respondents said that they would use rural or local roads to avoid the toll charges, if a toll was enforced on their local motorway. IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “The cost of motoring is currently at an all-time high, and it’s clear that the idea of bringing in toll roads has no support among everyday motorists. A toll on motorways, our safest roads, may force motorists on to more dangerous rural roads, to save money.” “The government has a very hard job ahead to convince drivers that tolls are the only way to deliver new roads and improve existing ones. Only by reducing other motoring taxes can this policy gain the support of the motorist.”
Heathrow Learning Zone Unite the Union Dear Drivers Unite the Union has been running lessons in the Learning Centre for the last year. We are currently enrolling for future courses. You do not have to be a member of Unite, just a tag holder. The most popular lessons have been Spanish, French, Basic computers and Photography. However, we are also going to try and extend the courses to include maybe Acoustic Guitar and Calligraphy. We can run any course as long as we have 8 or more people. So if you have the odd hour to kill, why not join in and have some fun.
Heathrow Learning Zone Contact: Charlie Johnson 07531 979220
Or come into the Portacabin and see Charlie or any of our reps
Learning while working it’s a no brainer
APRIL 2013 – CAB TRADE NEWS – Page 11
Delivered BY Taxi Drivers FOR Taxi Drivers 0151 207 7522 - 0151 207 7655 thomas.mcintyre@unitetheunion.org
Taxi Education
VRQ/NVQ Level 2 Passenger transport Delivered by taxi drivers for taxi drivers. Our team consists of fully qualified V1 internal Quality Assurers. Tutors and Assessors who will guide you every step of the way towards gaining your certificate. If you are an existing driver or wish to become a licensed driver and you need to gain one of these Certificates, we at UNITE the UNION Taxi Education can help, we have successfully delivered these courses throughout the country. All courses are tailored to suit the needs of the driver and with the minimum inconvenience. The course also consists of training in disability awareness and includes the safe loading of wheelchair passengers using our own purpose built taxi. We work in partnership with numerous colleges and local authorities tailoring these courses to suit the requirements of their licensing conditions. For further information please call us on: 0151 207 7522 or 0151 207 7655 or email: Tommy McIntyre – thomas.mcintyre@unitetheunion.org
Call us to see if you can achieve your NVQ cab licence through us. Call us on 0151 207 7522 0151 207 7655
APRIL 2013 – CAB TRADE NEWS – Page 12
Street Legal
TH E AT R E By TRUDI-JOY LEVY
By VICTORIA PHILLIPS
THE WINSLOW BOY - at the Old Vic
Legal Aid? A thing of the past
Naomi Frederick (Catherine Winslow) and Henry Goodman (Arthur Winslow). Credit Nobby Clark.
Charlie Rowe (Ronnie Winslow). Credit Nobby Clark.
Terence Rattigan’s plays often had a documentary inspiration and in this play he fictionalises the true story of 13-year-old naval cadet George Archer-Shee, expelled from Osborne Naval Cadet College on suspicion of theft. Young Ronnie Winslow, as played by Charlie Rowe, struck me as rather too tall to be referred to as “little Ronnie” by his mother (Deborah Findlay) but there is nice chemistry between him and his father, played by Henry Goodman, who seems to physically age as the pressure of the court case, coupled with his arthritis takes its toll. Ronnie is expelled from the Naval College, having been accused - after a perfunctory investigation - of the theft of a five shilling postal order. His father, Arthur, refuses to accept the Admiralty’s ruling without a fight. He engages the celebrated MP/barrister, Sir Robert Moreton (Peter Sullivan) to defend him. Since the Royal
Navy is protected by Crown immunity, the family are excluded from the jurisdiction of a civil court. Similarly, Ronnie is not entitled to a court martial because, as a cadet, he has not yet enlisted. Sir Robert suggests adopting a legal device called the ‘Petition of Right’ to bring the matter before the courts. Within the document are the words “Let Right Be Done” and this forms the basis of the play. Naomi Frederick gives a lovely performance as Ronnie’s suffragette sister, Catherine, whose engagement is broken as she supports her brother’s cause. It is directed by Lindsay Posner in an authentic pre-First World War set design by Peter McKintosh. Sadly, in the true case on which this play is based, George’s father dies soon after the case concludes. George enlists in the army, aged 19, at the outbreak of the First World War. He is reported missing in action after the first battle of Ypres and never returns home.
The government’s devastating attack on access to justice for injured people means that from 1 April, if you’re injured in an accident (at work or otherwise) or develop a work-related disease in England or Wales, only trade union members and their families will continue to benefit from a free, independent and specialist legal service. The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders (LASPO) Act became law last year, in spite of massive opposition from the trade unions, victim support groups and civil rights organisations. The Act ripped up the current arrangements that enable genuinely injured people to get legal representation without the risk of having to pay from their own pocket if their claim is unsuccessful. This is because the guilty party, usually the employer or their liability insurer, will no longer have to pay the insurance premium that the injured person takes out to cover the cost of things like medical reports and court fees should they lose. So unless a case is going to be very straightforward and won’t require lots of investigation and reports (which is rare in work-related accidents and disease cases), non-union solicitors are unlikely to take it on because of the risk of not getting paid. Lawyers will also be allowed to deduct up to 25% from their clients’ compensation to cover some of their costs, because they will no longer be able to claim them from the losing side. So getting 100% compensation may be a thing of the past. Although many lawyers may continue after 1 April to promise no deductions from compensation, they are likely to refuse to take on risky cases that they cannot be sure will succeed. Or they may agree to take on a complicated claim, but only if the claimant is able to pay up front for fees, investigations and medical reports. Unite has always said that members and their families who are injured because of the negligence of someone else and successfully claims compensation should receive it in full. An injured person doesn’t have to accept being referred to a law firm provided by an insurance company, just because they may have legal expenses insurance added onto their household or motor policies. They have a right to genuinely independent legal advice, not to be told what their claim is worth by a lawyer who has been given the case by an insurance company. That is why Unite has been working closely with Thompsons since LASPO became law, in order to work out ways in which claims can still be supported. To benefit from this service, members and their families with personal injury claims should contact 0800 709 007 for more details.
T THOMPSONS S O L I C I T O R S THE MOST EXPERIENCED TRADE UNION FIRM IN THE UK LTPH Notice 10/13 Peter Sullivan (Sir Robert Morton). Credit Nobby Clark
Charlie Rowe (Ronnie Winslow) and Henry Goodman (Arthur Winslow). Credit Nobby Clark
Charlie Rowe (Ronnie Winslow). Credit Nobby Clark
THE BOOK OR MORMON at the Prince of Wales Theatre If you’re of the opinion that current ‘political correctness’ has gone mad then you’ll love this show as much as I did. It manages to offend on every level. This much-hyped religious satire musical arrives from Broadway, where it won nine Tony awards. Book, lyrics and music are written by Trey Parker and Robert Lopez of South Park fame, and Matt Stone, co-creator of Avenue Q. Elder Price (Gavin Creel) and Elder Cunningham (Jared Gertner) graduate from the Salt Lake City Mormon Missionary College and are sent to Uganda to spread the word, rather than Price’s dream destination of Orlando. Here they encounter the lawless General Butt Naked (Chris Jarman) who is terrorising the natives and advocating female circumcision. Not only does he suggest to Price that he sticks the Book of Mormon where the
sun doesn’t shine, an x-ray reveals that he has helped him achieve this feat. Of course there is a pretty girl, Nabulungi (Alexia Khadime) whose name the Americans find impossible to pronounce, substituting various alternatives, such as Neutrogena. The songs are exuberant and Casey Nicholaw’s choreography is full of high-octane energy. One of the best numbers is “Turn it Off ”, which the missionaries have been told to employ when they start feeling ‘a little bit gay’. Another number is a dream sequence, set in hell, featuring Hitler, Genghis Khan, Jeffrey Dahmer and Robert Kardashian, OJ Simpson's lawyer, as dancing demons. If you’re sensitive or offended by bad language, stay away. But, if, like me, you were brought up on a diet of Tom Lehrer, treat yourself to an evening of laughter.
Transport for London
London Taxi and Private Hire
TAXI PRIVATE HIRE
London Taxi Drivers – New Design Licences and Area Identifiers Further to TPH Notice 07/13, regarding the new design licences and area identifiers issued on 12 February 2013, this notice provides taxi drivers with an update on our plan to re-issue all taxi driver licences and area identifiers. As was set out in TPH Notice 07/13, in order to re-issue taxi driver licences it is imperative that those drivers who were requested to provide passport sized photographs do so without delay. We would like to thank all the drivers who have already done this. Unfortunately there are still a significant number of taxi drivers who have not provided their photographs and any driver who has not yet responded to this request is required to do so without further delay. Photographs can be emailed to TPHphotos@tfl.gov.uk or posted to:
Taxi Driver Photographs, 4th Floor, Green Zone, Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 8NJ Given the volume of drivers that are still required to provide photographs, the bedding-in period of the new vehicle licensing service and the ongoing development of the new system for driver and operator licensing, we have decided to reschedule the issue of the replacement taxi driver licences and area identifiers. This programme of work will be restarted as soon as possible and a further announcement will be made in due course. Thank you for your understanding and assistance. John Mason, Director Taxi and Private Hire, 11 March 2013. For previous TPH Notices visit www.tfl.gov.uk/tph
APRIL 2013 – CAB TRADE NEWS – Page 13
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APRIL 2013 – CAB TRADE NEWS – Page 14
2013 General Secretary election
● ●
Recognise opportunities? Maximise their potential? The Olympics was the perfect opportunity to end the blacklisting of workers and defeat the anti-union laws. An opportunity lost. Chances to make a difference come and go. Len McCluskey talks big but failed to back the co-ordinated public sector strike last March. A big mistake!
A member not an official, what I share is your experience. That’s the difference. Who in the last 30 years has: Jerry Hicks Len McCluskey Taken strike action against their boss: YES NO Occupied their workplace YES NO Put their job on the line for others. YES NO
www.unitetheunion.org The Executive Council has called an election for general secretary which will be run in accordance with Rule 15 and 16. Branches and workplaces were invited to make a nomination for this post. Members can access the full list of nominating branches and workplaces for each candidate together with their election statements by visiting unitetheunion.org and logging on to Member Login and accessing the 2013 general secretary election materials page. If you need help with Member Login please contact the IT Helpdesk on 020 3371 2100. General questions about the election can be addressed to Unite by e-mail to elections@unitetheunion.org Voting papers will be despatched to members on week commencing 18 March 2013 and the deadline for return of papers to the Independent Scrutineer is Friday 12 April 2013. Any member who has not received their voting paper by Wednesday 3 April 2013 should contact the ballot enquiry service on 0800 783 3856 (0818 333 155 from the Irish Republic).
A notice for display in workplaces and on branch notice boards has been sent to all branch secretaries. You can download a copy of the notice from the Unite website. Any member who had joined before 31 January 2013 will be eligible to vote in this election. The count of voting papers returned will take place on 13 and 14 April with the declaration being made on 15 April. In accordance with rule 16 (2) the Executive Council has appointed Electoral Reform Services (ERS), The Election Centre, 33 Clarendon Road, London N8 0NW (020 8365 8909) as independent scrutineer. In accordance with Rule 16(3) the Executive Council has appointed Keith Ewing to act as election commissioner. (Keith Ewing can be contacted via the returning officer below). In accordance with Rule 16(4) the Executive Council has appointed Simon Hearn, Electoral Reform Services as returning officer. Any correspondence to the returning officer should be sent to him at the address above or by e-mail to returning.officer@electoralreform.co.uk
Election Addresses General Secretary Election 2013 Candidate’s Name: Jerry Hicks What’s it all about? We are in the biggest union in the country at a time of the greatest economic crisis, experiencing the biggest cuts and fall in living standards. Pay freezes, pension cuts, fuel poverty, unemployment. In these unprecedented times I don’t get a real sense of urgency or that we have a co-ordinated fight back strategy to win. We ought to be using every resource defending members and their families. Instead Len McCluskey calls this snap election 3 years early. This is at the wrong time, for the wrong reasons. It’s about clearing the decks for Labour and the 2015 General Election, to plough our money in without it having scrutiny. It’s also wrong that Len McCluskey wants to extend his time in office until he is 67. Leadership is about setting the right example.
Only a different leadership will make a big enough difference. Jerry Hicks Members elect their Unite officials to represent them. YES Fund Labour, MPs & councillors only after they do the right thing. Negotiate to slash affiliation fees. YES The General Secretary should get an average wage £26,000 not £122,000 plus. YES Member controlled Sector ‘Rank and File’ organisation. YES Confront the anti union laws and support unofficial action where necessary. YES
Len McCluskey NO NO NO NO NO
Provide a strategy for one million Green jobs in design, manufacture and construction. YES NO I want it so when Unite does the right thing it’s the norm, not cause to bring the bunting out.
Not less: Not the same: But More: ● ● ●
Community Branches are good, but we need more, and quicker. Workplace branches are logical, but members will agree changes not be told. Leverage against employers, great, but too often achieving increased redundancy terms where sustained action could have saved jobs.
What we do wrong we must put right. You know as well as I do what’s wrong and how we can put it right. More democracy, more say, more member control. ● Emails/letters go unanswered. ● Members too often refused legal representation. ● Many sectors such as Construction have insufficient support. ● Many Unite officials, paid out of members pockets, blatantly campaigned for Len McCluskey. Officials must be neutral in future. ● Where regions are too big, members will be given a choice to change ● Retired members deserve greater status. ● Two tier workforce deals are divisive. We need a different approach.
● ● ● ● ●
1975 I joined Rolls Royce as an apprentice: During 30 years, elected Rep, Senior Rep and elected to the Union’s NEC. 2003 offered a Regional Officer’s job, I declined on principle. I support elections, not appointments. 2005 unlawfully sacked by Rolls Royce for Trade Union activities. 2011 elected to the National Construction Rank & File committee to help organise a campaign of protests and unofficial actions to defend agreements. Ending in victory. 2012 discovered I was on the employers’ illegal blacklist.
I stood for General Secretary in 2008 and 2010. Both times finishing runner-up securing 52,527 votes and beating two Assistant General Secretaries in 2010. Jerryhicks4gs2010@yahoo.co.uk
www.jerryhicks4gs.org
Candidate’s Name: Len McCluskey Dear Unite Member, Three years ago I asked for your vote to become General Secretary and now I’m asking for your continued support to enable me to fulfil the vision for Unite that we’ve started together. We’ve already built a strong fighting back organisation for working people to be proud of. I have delivered on pledges given: ● Won tough disputes for members at British Airways, in the construction industry (BESNA), Honda cars, London buses, in Print and elsewhere ● Campaigned in the front line against public spending cuts and defending public service jobs, pay and pensions ● Developed a Retired Members Plus package which offers the finest benefits anywhere in the movement ● Stopped waste and focused Unite resources/money delivering and campaigning for you at the sharp end ● Stopping decline 60,000 extra members in organised workplaces through a central organising drive – making every member stronger ● Taken Unite into the wider community allowing people not in work to join our family, making all of us stronger ● Made our voice heard in the Labour Party, speaking up for policies that put working people first and strongly criticising Labour leaders when necessary.
But there is more to do. Much more. This election is the chance to set the Union’s course for the next five years, building on what has been achieved. It is the opportunity to confront the challenges of the economic crisis in unity and stability. I am the only one in this election with the experience of negotiating with global companies and government ministers to deliver the best deal possible for you and your family. I have a clear vision for Unite, shared by over 1,000 branches and workplaces from all parts of the Union. I’m honoured to have your support. A vision shared by the leaders of our equalities sectors, working with me to put equality at the heart of Unite, fighting against the discrimination that still exists at work and in society against women, black/ethnic minority, LGBT and disabled members. A vision shared by the Chair and Executive representative of our Retired Members who are backing my work to give retired workers – the men and women who built our union – a voice at every level of the Union. This is the generation that fought to build everything we hold dear in our society.
If re elected, I will: ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Put more resources into winning struggles at work, including a £25m dispute fund Step up the campaign against the Government’s austerity agenda, fighting for a future that offers our young people jobs and hope Defend our NHS with all our might Demand that state controlled banks stop sacking their employees – Unite members should not pay the price for the bosses’ blunders Fight for a rebalancing of the economy with investment in manufacturing and our transport infrastructure Demand blacklisting be made a criminal offence and a public inquiry be held into this scandal Extend our political influence in Westminster, the EU Assembly, the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly, Stormont and the Dáil
I have a clear positive agenda. My opponent in this election has no such plan, merely a wish list of gestures which would wreck our union and leave our members defenceless. Crucially, he’s played no role whatsoever in our union at any level for several years. He is a political opportunist relying on the support of the discredited Socialist Workers Party. We must not allow a small political clique to hijack our union. This is not scaremongering for votes, it’s the truth. Unite belongs to its members and, under my leadership, that’s the way it will stay! Yours sincerely,
TOGETHER FORWARD, TOGETHER STRONGER, TOGETHER UNITED www.unite4len.co.uk Twitter: @unite4len Facebook: unite4len office@unite4len.co.uk
APRIL 2013 – CAB TRADE NEWS – Page 15
Professional taxi drivers who are members of Unite can benefit from a unique service to support them at work – DriverCare
National monthly paper of the licensed taxi trade
EDITORIAL: 020
3589 0322
EDITORIAL BOARD: Mike Hedges, Frank Hull, Peter J. Rose CONTENT MANAGER: Peter J. Rose 07903 525520 Email: peterjrose@cabtradenews.co.uk Published by: Cab Trade News, Woodberry, 218 Green Lanes, London N4 2HB Design & Layout: Stan Busbridge Printed by: Trinity Mirror.
1
Why DriverCare?
PLEASE COMPLETE IN CAPITAL LETTERS Tick boxes where applicable. Write in white area only.
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TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
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For all professional drivers an accident, illness or injury could mean the permanent loss of their licence. And no licence means no job. While all Unite members are entitled to a wide range of services at work and support in personal matters too, Unite’s DriverCare scheme – first introduced in 1997 – offers compensation for the permanent loss of a licence and extra benefits, including accident and assault cover, all for a small sum on top of the standard Unite Cab Section membership contribution. If you’re not a Unite member but think you might benefit from the DriverCare scheme, join Unite now. For existing members wishing to benefit from DriverCare, contact your regional office.
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DriverCare benefits For only 80p a week extra on top of the standard Unite membership contribution drivers and their families can benefit from the following:
3
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£7,000 cover following loss of licence due to injury, disability, illness, poor eyesight or assault. • £5,000 for death or permanent disability following an accident at work. • £1,000 following an assault while working. • Financial support for legal costs incurred while working as a licensed taxi driver. • Help with legal costs and consequential hardship following being charged with certain traffic offences. Members over the age of 60 enjoy increased personal accident cover of £30,000 and assault cover of £3,000 in place of loss of licence benefit: full details of benefits are available from DriverCare categories, visit unitetheunion.org
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Extra cover Members can exclusively take out top-up cover for loss of licence with additional cover of up to £15,000: contact your regional office for more details of top-up cover.
Data Protection Statement The Unite the Union holds personal data about all members. This data is used to process your membership, and to provide you with the benefits and services to which you are entitled under the Rules of the Union. It is also used to provide you with information about the Union, and about other benefits and services which may be of interest to you. It may also be used for statistical or other purposes related to the administration of the Union, and to process any requests you might make for the payment of your subscriptions by direct debit. All membership information is processed in accordance with data protection legislation. For further information, please contact the Unite Head Office.
Conditions A number of conditions apply when seeking DriverCare cover following loss of licence, details of which can be found @unitetheunion.org More details can also be found from local representatives or Unite regional offices.
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This Guarantee is offered by all Banks and Building Societies that take part in the Direct Debit Scheme. The efficiency and security of the Scheme is monitored and protected by our own Bank or Building Society. If the amount to be paid or the payment date change, the Unite Union will notify you 10 working days in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed. If an error is made by the Unite Union or your Bank or Building Society, you are guaranteed a full and immediate refund from your branch of the amount paid. You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by writing to your Bank or Building Society. Please also send a copy of your letter to us.
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Location Code Bargaining Group
앻
Drivers in the Republic of Ireland should contact their local representative or regional offices for details of the DriverCare financial cover and membership fee in euros. DriverCare terms and conditions can be found at www.unitetheunion.org
No
Are you in arrears
Trade Group
Date of Entry
Source Code
Employer code
Recruited by
Payroll Code
Branch Number
Workplace Code
Branch Fund Code
PLEASE SEND YOUR COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS TO: UNITE THE UNION CAB SECTION, WOODBERRY, 218 GREEN LANES, LONDON N4 2HB
APRIL 2013 – CAB TRADE NEWS – Page 16