INSIDE: Uber in Brighton • TfL Board • Unite Transport Conference
Winter 2016/17 The magazine for taxi drivers
SCRAP THE
ACT
Unite campaign p12
Home Insurance you can trust and we guarantee to beat your renewal quote*.
Call us now
0800 345 7799 Quoting
CAB215 (Lines open 8:30am-8pm Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm Sat)
Saving money on your home insurance is just one of the many benefits of being a member of Unite.
Why Unite Insurance? • Alternative accommodation for family and pets if needed • Contents cover includes accidental damage to laptops, TVs, stereos and games consoles
You could also win your Home Insurance for FREE!‡
• New for old replacement** • Cover increased by £2,500 during December to cover Christmas gifts • Interest-free monthly payments
To celebrate 125 years of protecting the homes of union members, UIA as the parent company of Unite Insurance will be giving away a FREE Home Insurance policy every day for the rest of 2015. Simply take out a policy with us over the phone and you could win.‡
* ‘Price Guarantee’ is an introductory offer and applies to new customers only for the first 12 months of the policy. Minimum premiums apply. Maximum discount £150. This offer is available if you have been claim-free for five years or more, is subject to our usual acceptance and underwriting criteria, and is only available when you call us on 0800 345 7799 quoting the reference ‘CAB215’. We reserve the right to verify your home insurance renewal premium. To be eligible for this offer, a quote must be requested by 24.02.16. Quotes are valid for 45 days. We reserve the right to withdraw this offer at any time. ** Except clothing and household linen. ‡ Terms and conditions apply, visit www.uia.co.uk/terms-conditions. To be eligible for this offer, take out your policy by 31.12.15. UIA (Insurance) Ltd is a member of the Association of British Insurers and is a registered society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014. Principal Office in England at Kings Court, London Road, Stevenage, Herts SG1 2TP. Unite Insurance is a trading name of UIA (Insurance) Ltd. Unite is an Introducer Appointed Representative of UIA (Insurance) Ltd, which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority.
Winter 2016/17 The magazine for taxi drivers
Contents 3
National Officer, Bobby Morton Intro.
4
General Secretary, Len McCluskey Intro.
4
Tougter regulations for Uber
6
Report from Unite Transport Conference Dear Colleagues
8
Bronwen Handyside’s role on TfL board
10 Uber Brighton 12 Scrap the Act 14 Trade meets TfL Commissioner 16 Dundee update 18 International Uber fightback 21 Friends of the Earth 24 Uber tribunal
It is clear to everyone except this inept, ideological government that the time has come to repeal the Clause 11 of the De-Regulation Bill which allows cross-border hiring through operator sub-contracting. At the time Unite said this would be a disaster and lead to the situation that we see occurring all over Britain today. Private hire is blatantly ignoring all of the legislative rules. It’s been two years since Clause 11 was passed through parliament and now it needs to be scrapped and replaced by new legislation that puts passenger safety at the top of priorities. The recent Uber tribunal judgement showed that any new legislation should be robust and not open for the abuse of worker's rights that are currently being practised.
26 Thames Axis 29 South East update
Unite will campaign ceaselessly for our taxi drivers members interests and the interests of passengers. It is time to get back to being a public service rather than serving the interests of big business.
31 UniCabs 32 Crexit 34 Here’s a thought
www.cabtradenews.org facebook.com/cabtradenews
Bobby Morton National Officer, Passenger Services
@cabtradenews 3
Winter 2016/17
A silv to kil www.cabtradenews.org
CAB TRADE NEWS Comment
Exploitation can look very different today from how we imagine it appeared in the past. Yesteryear you could see the queues of casual workers on the docks or construction sites; today we see the flashy apps and seductive deals, and hear of flexible working and self employment. From Deliveroo to Uber the so-called ‘gig economy’ presents new challenges. And I must be missing something if it’s now modern and cool to ditch decades old and hard fought for rights and protections for working people – it’s nothing less than outdated and regressive. Not so much a new world of work – but a return to the old. Everyone is playing catch up with changing technology and new ways of spending and earning their money: the law, our politics and yes trade unions. But what is as true today as at any point in our history is that it damages us all if working people are denied fair wages and their rights and protections at work. Jobs aren’t simply 'opportunities for the self-employed', they guarantee our way of life and they provide for us when we are sick and when we are elderly. And the tax paid on earnings and company profits build the societies we wish to live in. Having no protection beyond your last pay packet is having no protection at all. A recent employment tribunal ruled that “the notion that Uber in London is a mosaic of 30,000 small businesses linked by a common ‘platform’ is faintly ridiculous’. Of course that’s right and such challenges bring us one step closer to dealing with the rising threat of casualisation and deregulation across the cab trade. It should remind all workers of the value of trade union membership - without which their corporate overlords would go unchallenged.
Len McCluskey, general secrttary
-Cab Trade News Published quartely by Unite the union, 128 Theobalds Road, London, WC1X 8TN. Phone 0207 611 2500. Editor – Peter Rose peterjrose@cabtradenews.org Phone 07903 525 520. Magazine enquiries and letters to the editor, by post, phone, or email www.cabtradenews.org Distribution enquiries contact your regional office
4
facebook.com/cabtradenews
No single meeting will produce a magic result which will put the Uber genie back in the bottle. Uber will fight tooth and nail to ensure its survival. The actions of many London drivers over the last few years has contributed to changing the political landscape dramatically. Uber is no longer the sexy young innovative app it was. The recent success by the GMB at an Employment Tribunal is one more blow to the trendy reputation Uber has spent millions cultivating. Slowly Uber is being exposed, as one Uber driver called it “a sweatshop on wheels”
The Mayor is the only person who can instigate change, first, by introducing regulatory reform. Of course, we all believe the app to be an illegal form of e-hailing, but resolving this issue could take years and I doubt any Mayor would attempt to ban Uber in the meantime. Is there an alternative to engaging with the Mayor? Is there an effective ‘direct action’ solution at this moment? What would it look like, how would it achieve success? How would we define success? Even Steve Wright, from the LPHCA, has commented recently on the absurdity of licensed cab drivers demonstrating against the Mayors recent proposals which will benefit the travelling public and would begin to put a brake on the race to the bottom. Unite alongside the LTDA & LCDC has helped organise two major demonstrations against Uber over the past three years. Of course, there is a time for drive-ins, but they are not an end in themselves, they are a means to an end. In the best case these initiatives can make drivers feel strong and united, but they can be counter-productive if directed against the wrong target. Responding to pressure, Sadiq Khan has finally begun to implement a set of new regulations which will begin to reverse the race to the bottom, both in terms of passenger safety & PH driver standards, a descent which was begun with Boris Johnson’s TfL licensing Uber in 2012 and which Johnson refused to slow down, let alone stop.
Winter 2016/17
er bullet l off Uber Sadiq has done more in six months than his Tory predecessor Johnson did in the previous four years to confront the consequences of Uber’s business model. This strategy will take time, especially with Uber using its huge financial muscle in the courts. Yet a small but vocal minority of London drivers are descending the depths on social media with attacks on the Mayor, which are clearly racist in a few instances. All trade organisations I am sure condemn this ugly manifestation.
To state that the cab trade in London is now at a crossroads is blindingly obvious. In my thirty years as a TGWU/Unite member and London cab driver I have seen many crisis moments. But this new situation is clearly the most dangerous the London trade has faced in that time. The election of a Labour Mayor, who Unite’s wider London membership supported from the beginning, is an opportunity we should all grasp. Demonstrations against a Mayor who is implementing a raft of new regulations aimed at raising the standards of PH driver skills could be counter-productive at this stage. Protesting against trade organisations which engage with TfLTPH can reinforce an image of trade disunity. The hard work and sacrifices of drivers, many members of no trade organisations, has forced regulatory change on to the agenda in London. They have helped highlight the dangers of a deregulated mini cab industry controlled by Uber. Putting to rights the damage inflicted by the last Tory Mayor on our trade cannot be undone overnight. But in the last six months the efforts of many trade organisations and drivers have begun to finally change the agenda with the GLA, TfL and the Mayor. Our job now should be to hold all the above to account by engaging with them.
REGULATIONS
BY JIM KELLY CHAIR, LONDON & EASTERN REGIONAL COMMITTEE
TIGHTER
@cabtradenews
Unite believes the most effective response of the trade, if we are to slow down & help stop the race to the bottom in London at present, is to work with the Mayor to ensure he implements his policies as a priority.
5
Winter 2016/17
Unite Tra Confere www.cabtradenews.org
facebook.com/cabtradenews
The Unite Transport Conference took place over two days at the beginning of November. This brings together all of the different transport sectors within Unite. These are Passenger (which includes Taxis), Road Haulage, Civil Aviation and Docks and Waterways.
The first part of the conference was the Transport Working Group, which consists of the Chairs and Vice-Chairs, National Officers and Researchers from each sector. I am vice-chair of the Passenger Sector representing 100,000 workers. The Transport Working Group sets out to look at all of the relevant resolutions passed at Unite's Policy Conference in July and TUC and Labour Party Conferences both held in September. At Unite’s Policy Conference, the Civil Air Transport Sector moved Motion 49, that was unanimously passed; Ownership, Control and Regulation of the Transport System. The motion says "strong regulatory controls should be exercised over aspects of transportation in order to ensure that services are safe, integrated and operate for the public good and not just for private profit." It also called for this to be included in the Labour Party's manifesto and committed to for government. At the Working Group Meeting I asked for taxis to be included in this motion and it was agreed that taxis would be included in an integrated message to the Labour Party.
@cabtradenews
Motion 60, from the Passenger Sector; Public Transport as part of our Greener Cities Agenda. Greener cities very much affect taxi drivers with the drive to remove diesel vehicles from the streets. Unite Cab Section has actively supported greener cities with the proviso that taxi drivers are not financially penalised by the move to green our cities. This motion will ensure that Unite's fight to be included at all stages of consultation and discussion with government and local authorities.
At the TUC, the Nautilus Union proposed a motion on; Automation of the Workplace. I seconded this motion concluding with the words "We need technology that improves our life's rather than making us slaves to it." How true that is with the recent Uber employment tribunal judgement. The threat of automation and meeting the challenges of the digital economy are threats to many aspects of society not just taxi drivers. It was agreed by the Transport Working Group to set up a working party to look at how Unite can meet the challenges facing us from the grown of the 'gig' economy and automation. The second day of the conference included delegates from all four of the transport sectors of Unite. The guest speakers included Andy McDonald MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Transport and Val Shawcross, Deputy Mayor for Transport at London’s City Hall. Andy McDonald spoke about how public transport is moving away from being a public service for the public
6
into a service to generate profit for the providers. Andy spoke about how we need to move back to the true principles of a public transport system. Andy is a good friend of Unite and was very interested to hear about Unite's role in fighting the Deregulation Bill and the fight against Uber.
As a result of this the Unite Cab Section shall be meeting with Andy in the near future. Daniel Zeichner MP, part of the Shadow Transport Team with responsibility for Taxis, has met with Unite Cab Section on a number of occasions and as an excellent knowledge of taxi drivers concerns. He has recently asked a number of taxi related questions in Parliament. With Andy McDonald and Daniel Zeichner at the head of Labour's Transport team, and with Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell, leading the Labour Party we are confident that Labour will stand up for taxi drivers and look for real, lasting solutions to taxi and private hire legislation, starting with the repealing of the De-regulation Act. Val Shawcross spoke about the Taxi Action Plan that London Mayor Sadiq Khan , with Val's great assistance, launched on the 13th September. She outlined the measures in the plan and the reasons for the inclusion of each element. At the forefront of all of the thinking was passenger safety. Val emphasised that public safety was the overriding concern for her and the Mayor. Val gave an excellent contribution and finished by paying tribute to London's taxi drivers and the role they play in being such an iconic part of London.
Winter 2016/17
ansport ence
BY MIKE HEDGES BY JIM KELLY
HEADER Goeshere
The final part of the agenda was about diesel emissions and linking Unite's concerns around a common theme. Unite has produced an excellent booklet "Diesel Exhaust Emissions at Work", taxi drivers along with other drivers are the most exposed to diesel fumes and the worst air
quality. Cleaning up our air is a priority for Unite Cab Section. The conference was an overwhelming success and shows how Unite is the only organisation capable of linking up all of the issues that face taxi drivers in Britain today.
7
That's why you should join Unite and be part of Britain's biggest Transport Union. You also might like to visit Unite’s Fair Transport campaign page on the Unite the union website: http://www.unitetheunion.org/campaigning /fair-transport-campaign/
Winter 2016/17
Bronwen Handyside – my role on the TfL board www.cabtradenews.org
facebook.com/cabtradenews
@cabtradenews
B
I was elected by SERTUC’s (South East Region of the TUC) Executive Council to represent the transport unions on the Transport for London Board. The role was last held by RMT general secretary Bob Crow under the mayoralty of Ken Livingstone. Tory Boris Johnson scrapped the post as soon as he came to office.
New Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan renewed it with the very positive aim of restoring better relations with the transport unions than Boris chose to have. My own union is Unite but I plan to work with all the transport unions in order to map out their strategic objectives for their members, and for the transport system (for which there is an overall ambition for public ownership).
I will be taking forward the interests of workers in general on the Board, however the legal obligation of Board members is to represent the interests of that Board. My plan is to integrate workers’ rights in all our discussions in a way that will inevitably make them part of the overall policy of the Board – as they should be.
The Board has been transformed since Sadiq Khan took over. He has worked with his Deputy Mayor for Transport, Val Shawcross, to change it from an entirely white and mostly male structure to one which is fifty seven percent female, twenty nine percent BAME and on which thirteen percent have a disability. Deputy Mayor for Transport, Val Shawcross says of the new board: “We’ve got a huge programme to deliver, it’s about getting it right for the passengers, it’s about getting it right to
8
promote regeneration and housing, it’s about getting it right for the environment, it’s about getting it right financially as well.” Already the TFL Board has agreed new rules for private hire drivers such as Uber, which include requiring drivers to pass an English test and more robust insurance regulations, which will go some way towards protecting black cabs from unfair competition. I see my role as making sure that the voice of TFL’s workers, and the capital’s workers, are heard loud and clear in in the delivery of TFL’s huge programme. This will involve equal pay for equal work in the bus industry, and the need for a safe affordable railway industry.
Winter 2016/17
CAB TRADE NEWS APP More than just news from the Unite Cab Section
Available for iOS and Android
Uber – Br www.cabtradenews.org
facebook.com/cabtradenews
@cabtradenews
“London is now fast becoming the ‘Licensing Central’ for all UK Private Hire operations” Uber launched in Brighton & Hove on Friday October 28th 2016, but not without the normal controversy that its operation(s) bring. Despite an agreement with the local (Licensing) authority (Brighton & Hove City Council) through a clear understanding from Uber at a previous Council Licensing Panel Meeting, held on October 19th 2015. Where Uber stated that they would “ONLY use Brighton and Hove licensed vehicles and drivers to service bookings in Brighton & Hove.” In effect, a firm commitment from Uber to comply with the provisions of the Council's ‘Blue Book’ bible of licensing conditions designed to protect Brighton’s cab using public. Within hours of their launch, Brighton & Hove was saturated with out of area Private Hire Vehicles, predominantly licensed by Transport for London (TfL). From a local perspective both trade and passengers, this ensures a far from level playing field with Uber choosing to operate drivers and vehicles in the local
area who fail to comply with Brighton's high standards of passenger safety and are outside local licensing control and regulation. The city council requires CCTV in all Taxis and Private hire vehicles as part of measures to protect passengers and drivers, high training standards for drivers and the provision of wheelchair-accessible vehicles locally. Whilst Uber contend that this practice is, 'perfectly legal'!? We believe it is certainly not within the spirit of the law and exposes the travelling public locally to an unacceptable level of risk from vehicles and drivers, who cannot legally be regulated or controlled locally by the Licensing Authority! Uber are now also operating (advertising for the acceptance of bookings) in neighbouring areas of "Adur" and "Worthing" where they do not possess a locally issued Private Hire Operators' licence, but merely despatch any vehicle or driver this is close to hand - regardless of its licence! With the Deregulation Act 2015, it cannot have been the intention of
10
legislators for a vehicle and driver to be licensed by one authority yet never work in that area of licensing but operate many miles away in other areas below the regulatory radar.... Can it??? Logically, as London (TfL) is now fast becoming the 'Licensing Central' for all UK Private Hire operations who wish to subvert and circumvent all local regulation and control, then it runs that all local trades should now be requiring lawful local enforcement operations by TfL enforcement teams as part of their duty of licensing! Lobby you local authority to immediately call for TfL to despatch an enforcement team to level the playing field locally in your area and protect the General Public! We call for two things; The immediate repeal of the pernicious "Deregulation Act" pending a proper independent assessment of the impact of app based operations. What benefits they have truly brought to passengers locally, their effect on the established trade and (perhaps most importantly) the impact to passenger and road safety locally!!!
Winter 2016/17
righton e
t a d p U
BY SEAN RIDLEY
A cap on the number of private hire licences issued in London due to the alarming spike in the issue of London Private Hire licenses recently (600700 licenses currently being issued per week) that then fail to work in their licensing area of London but go on to work actively and locally in areas such as Essex, Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, Bristol, Birmingham... to name but a few! Local trades must lobby their local licensing authorities, local MPs and Police & Crime Commissioners now! This is their problem as well as ours!
Brighton Uber Extra.... Drivers are reporting that Uber are mostly out at the weekends and that they are positioning themselves at the University campuses as the students are more likely to use an app instead of a phone number. There seem to be around 1820 cars at the moment and Uber are advertising heavily on local radio stations. It has been reported that they are offering free rides as well. Many Brighton & Hove drivers have downloaded the Uber app so that they can keep an eye on them. Some have taken
11
photographs and there are one or two videos of people taking journeys with hair raising experiences. In one video the driver goes straight through a red light. A lot is going on with the cab companies here, having meetings to decide what can be done. Unite is closely following developments and speaking with the Council to campaign against Uber's operation in Brighton John Oram
Winter 2016/17
Scrap the Act
BY MIKE HEDGES HEADER Goeshere
BY JIM KELLY
Deregulation Act 2015
It is now two years that this pernicious Tory government passed Clause 11 of the Deregulation Act, allowing private hire operators to sub-contract bookings. At the time Unite fought a hard battle to defeat the Act and were successful in removing one of the clauses. Unite came close to defeating Clause 11 but the Liberal Democrats showed their true colours by supporting the Tories allowing the Clause to be passed. As Unite said at the time:
"by being able to pass jobs from one operator to another, the role of the local licensing enforcement would become impossible because currently only the licensing officers from a licensing authority area have the power to take enforcement action against the vehicle and driver. This proposal would result in vehicles and drivers working literally hundreds of miles from their licensing authority, with no controls putting the public’s safety at risk." Never was a truer word spoken and unfortunately a prediction has happened. Unite organised huge lobbies of Parliament, House of Commons debates, parliamentary questions and many visits to see Ministers. But a big problem was the lack of support from the trade organisations and taxi drivers who failed to see the problems Clause 11 would bring. Now more than ever we need to remove cross-border hiring for good. But Unite also had our own solution to cross-border hiring, which is for every taxi and private hire vehicle to accept bookings only in their own licensing area or for one that
12
finishes in their own area. This would stop vehicles adopting "licenses of convenience" to get around high local licensing standards.
It is worth looking at the affect that out of town and the growth of private hire has had in Britain. With London licensed private hire vehicles seemingly operating nationwide now, in three years private hire driver numbers in London have increased from 65,000 to 111,000, vehicles from 52,000 to 82,000 but the number of Operators has fallen from 30,000 to 28,000. The decrease in operators has been seen nationwide as small private hire firms either leaving the trade or are swallowed by bigger companies. So in Leeds operators have fallen from 134 to 60 in three years. So much for the De-regulation Bill cutting red tape and giving more choice to the customer. It is a disaster and this chaos must end now. Unite will be launching a campaign to repeal and scrap Clause 11 of the Deregulation Act and end cross-border hiring (also we want the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998 amended to remove the references to cross-border hiring). It is now clear that public safety and local licensing can no longer be guaranteed whilst cross-border hirings continue to be carried out. The licensing system is being abused to the point it is becoming meaningless. Join the Unite Cab Section and join the fightback.
Winter 2016/17
www.cabtradenews.org
facebook.com/cabtradenews
@cabtradenews
OD
UNITE CAB SECTION MEMBERS Are you thinking of buying a new Taxi? CREDIT UNION LTD
Plane Saver Credit Union
Who are Plane Saver?
Plane Saver Credit Union have been working closely with Unite the Union to develop a low cost secured Taxi Loan product, aimed at helping our members purchase a brand new Taxi.
Plane Saver Credit Union are not-for-profit financial co-operative for the airline and transportation sector.
With the product now developed they are actively seeking example cases before an official launch, looking for individuals who are serious about buying a brand new Black Taxi. If you are interested and would like to be contacted as to taking part and learning more about the product please send your details to: robertlovesey@planesaver.co.uk
13
Founded in 1993, Plane Saver is currently one of the largest Credit Unions in the UK, now serving over 10,000 members and having lent over ÂŁ100 million to date. Offering a range of ethical savings and loan products, it is one of the success stories of the credit union movement. As a Taxi Driver you can join today for free at www.planesavercu.co.uk
Winter 2016/17
BRIGHTON
www.cabtradenews.org
facebook.com/cabtradenews
BY JIM KELLY
@cabtradenews
TAXI TRADE MEET WITH COMMISSIONER Taxi trade met with London’s Transport Commissioner, Mike Brown on Monday 21 November 2016.
There were nine items on the Agenda, the majority from the trade. The first was a report back on actions from the previous meeting with the Traffic Commissioner. An update on access to bus lanes was given. Three have now been changed to allow taxi access, and another eleven are scheduled for completion before January out of an original list of twenty schemes. Mike Brown will also be contacting Camden Council to seek taxi access to the new Tottenham Court Road scheme. Safety audits have been completed at the Blackwall Tunnel and one is currently under-way at the Euston Road overpass. TfL is awaiting modelling results on the former before allowing taxi access. The trade groups emphasised the need for urgency with many, but especially London Bridge northbound, which has been scheduled for taxi access from January. The issue of the impact of roadworks commencing in January north of Blackfriars Bridge was also highlighted. An assurance was received from Mike Brown that he would urgently look at both. It was pointed out that the taxi trade needs more input into many of the
major road space issues in London, including badly operating junctions. The sheer volume of these schemes has brought the capital to a virtual halt in many areas of central London. Mike Brown said that separation of statistics between taxis and private hire will be published now that there is a new Police system in place to record these crimes, both for sexual assaults and for traffic accident statistics. These statistics will cover all thirty two London boroughs. Mike Brown & Helen Chapman also reported on developments in the Uber appeal. The trade groups argued that TfL should make sure that operator insurance needs to be a key priority for the safety of the travelling public. Helen Chapman gave an update on private hire topographical testing centres. There are now only four accredited centres in London, after many were struck off. All testing will be undertaken by TfL staff. Additional modules are to be introduced, with a target start date of January. The trade brought to Mike Brown’s attention a recent advert in York, claiming to help any private hire driver
14
pass their test in London and then to enable these drivers to work anywhere in England. Helen Chapman agreed to check this. The trade groups made the point that London regulations were now lower than many licensing authorities in other parts of England. Mike Brown suggested that TfL was looking at new ways to introduce primary legislation to stop cross border hiring. He was to meet a government spokesman to follow this up.
The issue of congestion charge exemption on private hire vehicles was raised. The large increase in numbers has added to congestion in central London. The trade groups called for the exemption to be taken away as a quick way of easing congestion levels which are now worse than before the Congestion Charge was introduced. The trade groups repeated their call for private hire vehicles to comply with ULEZ standards from 2018, the same as the taxi trade. At present thirty three percent of private hire vehicles in London are six seater and only three percent are seven seater. There are many zero emission vehicles on the market at present that private hire could use. The trade also brought up the issue of the credit card mandate, both the way it was implemented, which means drivers must pay almost four percent in charges and the problems with the new credit card stickers, and the general over proliferation of stickers in the cab at present. The trade groups also demanded that the safety issues around private hire drivers being totally reliant on apps for navigation, especially with Uber Pool, need to be investigated. Other issues around the new compliance officers, pedicabs and TfL branding were also raised.
Winter 2016/17
Unite4 Heathrow
Working people need a 3rd runway
Unite backs Heathrow expansion for
• JOBS • A STRONGER ECONOMY • A BETTER FUTURE FOR ALL
Join us Support the campaign – go to www.unitetheunion.org/Unite4Heathrow to pledge your support @Unite4Heathrow
Unite4Heathrow
www.unitetheunion.org/Unite4Heathrow 15
Winter 2016
e t a d p U
Dundee www.cabtradenews.org
facebook.com/cabtradenews
@cabtradenews
BY MIKE HEDGES
Higher standards for taxi and private hire drivers By the 31st of May 2017 all current drivers and new drivers coming on to the taxi or private hire industries must complete a vocational training course before receiving or renewing their badge. The course is designed to develop knowledge skills in areas including: Health and safety when working, vehicle maintenance, routes, fares and transporting children and young people. The VRQ (Vocationally-Related Qualification) consists of nine mandatory units which cover key issues in the taxi and private hire work environment. The mandatory units are: Health and safety in the taxi and private hire work environment Road safety when driving passengers in a taxi or private hire vehicle Professional customer service in the taxi and private hire industry Taxi and private hire vehicle maintenance and safety inspections The regulatory framework of the taxi and private hire industry Taxi and private hire services for passengers who require assistance Routes and fares in the taxi and private hire vehicle industries Transporting parcels, luggage and other items in the taxi and private hire industries Transporting of children and young persons by taxi or private hire vehicle
16
Cap on Numbers: The Scottish Government are seeking to allow Scottish councils powers to cab the number of private hire vehicles via the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Bill. George Kelly in his response for Unite the union said:
Unite’s George Kelly in his submission to parliament said: “The safety of the public should be the priority of all Licensing Authorities and Councils. This safety should not only consist of the suitability, condition and roadworthiness of any vehicle who either operate as a Taxi or a Private Hire Car but should encompass the drivers and operators of such vehicles.” “There is a real need to put a ceiling on the issue of Private Hire Licences. There is a real bone of contention that the unrestricted issues of P/H licences is to provide the public with a better service or choice but in reality it is merely a revenue raiser for cash strapped councils who do not research if there is a need for these licences. This creates a situation where P/H`s in an area with over provision gravitate to other areas where there is the opportunity to “Pirate” or illegally ply for hire.” The Bill is currently going through the Scottish parliament.
Winter 2016/17
Take action for fair transport Stop the race to the bottom in transport in the UK by backing the campaign and signing the Fair Transport Europe petition.
Fight for a fairer deal Sign the petition at
unitetheunion.org/fairtransport Take action for fair transport • Follow @FairTransport on Twitter • Send message of support using #FairTransport
www.cabtradenews.org
facebook.com/cabtradenews
@cabtradenews
ITF unions seek in worldwide figh Trade unionists from around the world explored a common ITF approach to tackling the Uber business model of “deregulation, destabilisation and disrespect for workers”, which is increasingly prevalent in the taxi and other transport sectors. Over two days in mid September the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) brought together over forty trade unions from twenty one countries together in Antwerp to discuss the growth of Uber, Technology Apps and ride sharing Apps around the world. The IRU and Lucy Anderson MEP were also present. The conference was not about looking back but very much focused on how we, as trade unionists, can bring about a change in governments attitudes to the neo-liberal, exploitative, unethical agenda that these companies represent. Every continent of the world was represented and Unite Cab Section helped play an important part in the conference. The conference was hosted by the ABVV/BTB Belgium, who represent Belgium taxi drivers, and was opened by the President, Frank Moreels, a good friend of taxi drivers in Britain. The
conference was about hearing from the different unions and employers as well as some interested parties such as European and American transport experts. Each union gave a five minute presentation about their situation and it was incredibly interesting to listen to often the same problems but within vastly different licensing frameworks and legislation. It was also interesting to hear the different attitudes of governments and legislators towards these predatory App companies.
building coalitions of the willing and putting pressure on politicians and decision makers. There was a session from the Danish Trade Union 3F, using their Poul Uberman character (well worth looking up on YouTube), spoke about how they had reached out to millions of people through their imaginative campaign. That campaign paid off this week with Denmark ruling Uber illegal. There were a number of initial agreements that were provisionally agreed, these are:
But one common theme was that many countries had initially started campaigning against Uber through mass demonstrations but quickly realised that this could prove counterproductive. Building alliances and coalitions with, sometimes previous enemies, has proved to be a better strategy for many unions. This is very much the Unite Cab Section's approach,
18
Winter 2016/17
Information sharing – the participants expressed their appreciation to the ITF for its regular provision of news clippings and analysis reports such as “Shame on Uber” and “Opposition to Uber (cities/governments)” and requested that it continue servicing the affiliates in the same way. They also
BY MIKE HEDGES
joint approach ht against Uber
felt it necessary that the ITF has a “public face” for the campaign on social media. The ITF secretariat, together with a few participants, will look into this request. App development – the NTWA (US) offered to share the taxi app that the union developed recently (Cabbit). Those interested to receive information about the app should contact the ITF secretariat. Action Day – this request for global protest action will be further discussed between the TWU (Australia), BTB (Belgium), NTWA (US) and the secretariat to identify the key message, target(s),
date, types of actions, allies and public relations. The outcomes will be informed back to members of the Road Transport Workers’ Section. Legal strategy – It is essential that the Section supports those unions who are campaigning against Uber to win employee-status for the drivers as well as minimum wage and other benefits. Customer strategy – it is essential that the trade unions have a clear and common message to Uber users. A public education campaign could focus on the following pillars: Misclassification of drivers, violence against women, etc
19
Political strategy – it is essential that the Section also consider the broader picture, in particular with regards the wider discussion on the ‘Future of Work’ at the ITF and other levels (e.g. ILO) There is a further ITF conference this winter which will look at these proposals and ratify the course of action that the ITF will pursue. In the next issue of Cab Trade News we will have a more in-depth report of the current world situation. It is only through this world approach that we can win as this is a global problem and only the Unite Cab Section is capable of carrying that fight.
Winter 2016/17
Unite meets with
FRIENDS OF THE EARTH www.cabtradenews.org
facebook.com/cabtradenews
@cabtradenews
BY MIKE HEDGES
decommissioning scheme that Unite helped to negotiate and how we are concerned with the lack of charging points in London and the slow progress that is being made in providing fast charging points.
There has been a lot of discussion recently regarding diesel emissions and the role they play in lowering our air quality and polluting the environment. Air pollution causes 40,000 early deaths each year in the UK. Some of those will be taxi drivers as driving in the middle of the road is the most dangerous place to be in relation to air pollution. The pollution that diesel is particularly responsible for causing are Nitrous Oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM's). Unite Cab Section has campaigned to reduce diesel emissions and to look to remove diesel taxis as quickly as possible from the roads with the provision that taxi drivers are not financially penalised. We have campaigned for grant assistance to be available for the new Zero Emission Capable (ZEC) taxi that will be coming in London by the 1st January 2018.
Unite Cab Section has been meeting with a number of interested parties in relation to air quality and to look at how we can work together and campaign for cleaner air in London. It was with this understanding that we recently met Friends of the Earth (FOE). We met with FOE's London Campaigner and their lead air quality campaigner. FOE have recently launched a campaign for "the UK to commit to end diesel use on our roads by 2025 and drivers must be supported to use green alternatives." We started by explaining about the ULEZ requirements for taxis that were announced by Boris Johnson, when he was Mayor, and the recent announcements by Sadiq Khan. These put London's taxis at the forefront of the plans to tackle air quality and provide London with clean air. We explained about the grants and the
21
We discussed FOE's ban diesel campaign in relation to taxis and how it could affect taxi drivers if a 2025 limit was placed on taxi drivers and it fair to say that FOE had a good understanding of our issues. We agreed to work together on a number of campaigning issues for the future, including maintenance of grants towards the purchase of ZEC vehicles. The Mayor has announced an extension of ULEZ to the north/south Circular and we agreed that we both would like the zone extended to include the whole London-wide GLA area. We would investigate the emission levels that taxi drivers are exposed to during their normal working day, engage taxi drivers in the fight for clean air and work with local FOE groups wherever possible. The issue of congestion is another area where we can work together to reduce pollution. Overall we have a lot in common with FOE and it is a real step forward to work together towards the common goal of clean air for London and the UK for the betterment of everyone including saving taxi drivers lives.
Winter 2016/17
Goeshere Charter TheHEADER Drivers’
BY JIM KELLY www.unitetheunion.org
UNITE DRIVERCARE – Protect Your Livelihood! For all taxi drivers an accident, illness or injury could mean the permanent loss of their licence. And no licence means no job.
Additional Benefits
DriverCare Benefits
The Unite DCPC Course – only £39.99 per day
Discounted Gym Membership
Provided by Fitness First, members get a reduction of £4 per month on standard club rates membership fee and the normal joining fee is waived. Visit www.fitnessfirst.co.uk to find your nearest gym. Remember to show your Unite membership card when you register.
This is why Unite has developed DriverCare. It provides cover for drivers whose livelihood is affected by the permanent loss of their professional licence. It also provides other valuable benefits.
Unite runs courses at training centres all around the country so there will be one that is convenient for you. Each course is run by a professional trainer and is built around recognised industry standards. As a Unite member, you can take advantage of our special discounted rate of only £39.99 per day which includes all course materials.
Drivers and their families can benefit from the following: £7,250 cover following Loss of Licence due to injury, disability or illness.
Up to an additional £15,000 if you join the Supplementary Loss of Licence (TopUp) scheme.
Great Savings at Vision Express
Up to £30,000 for death or permanent disability following an accident at work.
Drivercare members can get big savings on glasses and eye tests from Vision Express. You can download vouchers from the Unite web site to obtain:
Up to £3,000 following an assault at work.
£50 for hospitalisation following an accident/assault whilst at work.
Free Eye Tests
£30 off complete glasses
Financial support for legal costs incurred while working as a professional driver.
£70 on contact lenses (when you join the direct debit scheme Contact 7)
Help with legal costs and consequential hardship following being charged with certain traffic offences.
Designer 2 for 1 glasses
For details go to: www.visionexpress.co.uk/unite
Only 95p per week
DriverCare costs only 95p a week extra on top of the standard Unite membership contribution.
Unitetheunion1 22
Join today
To take out Drivercare Cover, please contact your local Unite Office.
@unitetheunion Winter 2016/17
www.cabtradenews.org
facebook.com/cabtradenews
@cabtradenews
How cabbies are supporting next generation of
British automotive engineering talent London Taxi Company Press Release All future rides in new cabs will contribute towards the training of the next generation of automotive engineers – thanks to a number of new initiatives at LTC, the leading UK manufacturer of black cabs. Alongside investing £300m in designing and building the next generation range extended electric black cab, LTC is working to ensure that all new cabs are built by highly skilled UK engineers, graduates and apprentices – and have invested in a number of key training programmes to make this a reality.
production. This will help nuture talent for what is expected to be a fairly rapid transition across the automotive sector to new energy vehicles.
dealers around the UK, ready for the launch of the new taxi.
The latest part of LTC’s programme to train and develop the engineers and mechanics of the future was revealed with the launch of LTC’s retail apprenticeship scheme. The apprentices on the scheme, who have started at LTC last week, will play a role in ensuring that both the current and next generation taxi is maintained to the highest possible standards.
This programme will sit alongside LTC’s construction apprenticeship programme and its graduate programme, which is now in its second year. All of these individuals will play a critical role in the launch of the new cab, whilst sales of the vehicle will support future waves of recruitment. This means that anyone who drives or hails a new black cab will be directly supporting the training of the next generation of automotive engineering talent.
These high quality apprenticeships involved will last three years – enabling them to complete a wide range of repairs that involve complex procedures, or in depth knowledge. These apprentices who will be based in approved LTC retail approved service
Laura Haines, HR Director at LTC, said: “These two programmes underline our commitment to ensuring that the development of the world’s first purpose built ultra-low emission taxi supports the UK’s growing excellence in electric vehicle
23
Martin Crouch, General Manager at LTC, said: “This fantastic threeyear scheme gives youngsters the solid grounding they need to be able to service and maintain our next generation electric powertrains. Due the recent rapid changes in the automotive sector this sorts of skills are in relatively short supply but thanks to support from LTC and the UK’s Skills Funding Agency we can work to bridge that gap.” LTC’s parent company, Geely, is also supporting British automotive engineering talent as the main sponsor of the British supersonic vehicle project, Bloodhound SSC. The bulk of this project is being undertaken in the UK and is primarily aimed at getting school children interested in science and engineering. Bloodhound aims to break the current land speed record of 763mph in October 2017, with could reach a target speed of 1000mph in a second run in October 2018. Andy Green, the driver who will attempt the world record, is expected to arrive on the site of the world record attempt in South Africa in a black cab.
Winter 2016/17
UBER DRIVERS?
WHO EMPLOYS www.cabtradenews.org
facebook.com/cabtradenews
@cabtradenews
BY MIKE HEDGES
“
Employment Tribunal finds Uber Drivers are employed by Uber
On October 28, 2016 The London Central Employment Tribunal has found that a group of Uber drivers are workers and are entitled to receive the National Minimum Wage and holiday pay. The chinks in Uber's armour are beginning to be exposed. Uber is fighting governments and the courts throughout the world and have recently had two major setbacks; in London and in Denmark where Uber were told to stop operating. The central pillar of the employment tribunal decision was that Uber are using the digital economy to justify unethical employment practices as are many other employers in the so called 'gig economy'. This ruling as massive implications for Uber and would make their model unworkable. In a landmark ruling that follows a hearing in July, will affect tens of thousands of Uber drivers, the Employment Tribunal has ruled that a group of Uber drivers belonging to the GMB private hire union, are not selfemployed but are workers who are entitled to essential workers’ rights including to be paid the National Minimum Wage and receive paid holiday. This is the first time that Uber has faced legal action in the UK over whether its drivers are workers or self-employed.
As part of its defence Uber denied that its drivers were entitled to workers’ rights, as it is just a technology company, not a taxi provider and that Uber drivers do not work for Uber but instead work for themselves as self-employed business men and women.
This is a ground-breaking decision. It will impact not just on the thousands of Uber drivers working in this country, but on all workers in the socalled gig economy whose employers wrongly classify them as self-employed and deny them the rights to which they are entitled.
Nigel Mackay from the employment team at law firm Leigh Day which represents the drivers, said: “This judgment acknowledges the central contribution that Uber’s drivers have made to Uber’s success by confirming that its drivers are not selfemployed but that they work for Uber as part of the company’s business. “Uber drivers often work very long hours just to earn enough to cover their basic living costs. It is the work carried out by these drivers that has allowed Uber to become the multibillion-dollar global corporation it is.” “We are pleased that the employment tribunal has agreed with our arguments that drivers are entitled to the most basic workers’ rights, including to be paid the National Minimum Wage and to receive paid holiday, which were previously denied to them.”
24
”
Daniel, Unite Member
Annie Powell, a lawyer in the employment team at Leigh Day who also worked on the case added
“This is a ground-breaking decision. It will impact not just on the thousands of Uber drivers working in this country, but on all workers in the so-called gig economy whose employers wrongly classify them as self-employed and deny them the rights to which they are entitled.” On Tuesday 22 November around 100 Uber drivers organised a go slow protest in Central London calling for the Mayor, Sadiq Khan, not to renew Uber's license if Uber continue to refuse to pay the National Minimum Wage.
Winter 2016/17
A landmark tribunal UNITE PRESS RELEASE
Unite plan to set up ‘bogus self-employment’ unit after a landmark tribunal ruling Britain’s largest union, Unite announced it would be setting up a special ‘bogus self-employment’ unit to pursue employers who were shamelessly dodging their responsibilities by classifying workers as self-employed. The announcement came after the GMB won a landmark employment tribunal which ruled Uber drivers were workers rather than self-employed. The decision means the drivers are entitled to holiday pay, paid rest breaks, and the national minimum wage. Unite believes the ruling paves the way for similar cases and will be setting up a legal unit to support its members in all sectors from construction to the ‘gig’ economy.
Commenting Unite director of legal services Howard Beckett said: “Congratulations to the GMB. This is another landmark ruling for the trade union movement which will send shock waves through the ‘gig’ economy and opens up the way for legal action against bogus self-employment across all sectors. “Following this judgement Unite will be setting up a specialised unit to pursue those employers who shamelessly dodge their responsibilities by classifying workers as self-employed.” Demanding government action Unite assistant general secretary Steve Turner added: “We’ve seen an explosion in the
25
number of people working as selfemployed in the UK partly down to the emergence of the gig economy and firms like Uber and Deliveroo. “For many of these workers eking out a living in the gig economy, it’s a world of insecure work and casualised labour. But instead of a tap on the shoulder or the brass tally of the docks from decades ago, workers are left waiting for a text or the beep of an app to know if they have work. “We cannot turn the clock back to the Victorian era, the government needs to put a floor underneath all workers’ rights. Otherwise living standards will fall and peoples’ working lives become increasingly insecure.”
Winter 2016/17
www.cabtradenews.org
facebook.com/cabtradenews
@cabtradenews
Basildon TAXI drivers have been given hope after Homes and Community Agency said it would try to preserve their waiting area outside Basildon train station. In January the Homes and Community Agency (HCA) posted notices in the Bowl advising of it's closure in February. I contacted the HCA who told me they were reviewing various sites in Basildon. When they visited the site they noticed two Pay and Display machines. They then informed me that no one had a license to operate Pay and Display in the Bowl. I did notice in September 2015 that the machines weren't working. I contacted Basildon Council and Essex parking partnership to notify them of the situation and was told someone was going to fix the machines but it did not happen. This then made me suspicious and of course January 2016 the notices were posted. Then in February notices were put up stating it was under review. History: In January 1974 Trafford House was built along with the railway station. Trafford house stood empty for two years before Ford Motor company acquired it. The main taxi rank was where the market parking is now. It was convenient because as commuters were coming out of the station they could see it. They
could cross the road and get a taxi, sometimes taxi's used to time it so as commuters came out taxi's were out at the traffic lights and they could flag them down. Bare in mind there wasn't as much traffic as there is now. Later on in 1974 we acquired a three cab rank which was later reduced to a two car rank. This was because after Kings Cross Station fire every station had to have a fire exit. In 1996 Basildon council moved the taxi rank from southernhay by the station, along side the bus station which wasn't visible from the station. More taxi's started to use the rank by Trafford House and commuters were directed to the rank and now they know where to pick up the taxis. As the town expanded more commuters were coming to Basildon. We approached the council to have a feeder rank of 5 taxis to facilitate the increase of commuters coming to Basildon to conduct their business. We now have a 5 car rank. In 2005 Basildon Council decided to delimit the hackney carriage numbers in Basildon. This over the course of the years caused more problems in the Basildon Bowl.
26
Essex parking partnership who were overseeing the day to day running of this pay and display car park for Basildon Council. I was approached by one of the wardens about the congestion in the Bowl. A site meeting was arranged, our licensing officer attended and the outcome was agreed to allocate ten parking bays at peak periods for the over spill of taxis. Losing this facility would severely disrupt the service we provide to the commuters coming to this expanding town to conduct their business activities. During a working day between around seven hundred commuters are transported to all areas of our town by Hackney Carriage and private hire. Good news is that following representations from the taxi trade. Basildon council has refused to sign of the plans for Trafford House because of losing the spaces for taxis. And after more site visits HCA has confirmed it will try to preserve the waiting space in the Bowl.
Winter 2016/17
BY RALPH MORGAN, THAMES AXIS CAB SECTION
Station POSTCARD FROM SOUTHEND From BEN FUENTE, Thames Axis Cab Section
union will we be able to make any headway on the problems that arise.
As I am writing this as Christmas approaches and I’m thinking of asking Father Christmas, if he could get me a job in the office that spends all their highly paid time, thinking of all the ways to upset and make life difficult for the taxi trade.
The Unite Cab Section is run by working cab drivers with the backing of the largest and best union able to supply the strength and knowledge to back our trade. Most drivers that ask, complain and expect others to do things for them.
As I walk up and down the ranks handing out Cab Trade News, I am set upon by drivers asking if I know what is happening with the latest thing that is upon us at the moment, until the next thing and that is Uber.
They should realise that taxi drivers need to join the union and back each other and the people in the union that are able to understand our problems and get us talking to each other countrywide, which will hopefully sort out problems for us all. As they have been in the past.
As I have said I have said before in Cab Trade News, I always ask are you in the union or association and am told on many occasions – NO. I would then explain as I do that is only by being in a
There are thousands of us countrywide, we should be speaking to each other and have our trade put on the right road by us and not by councils, politicians and faceless others without us having
27
an input, and it is the union with all its strength that will help us get there. As with Uber we have always found our way out of problems and if we stick together we will overcome this one.
Winter 2016/17
Tax Refund Service
TAXI DRIVERS...
THE METER’S RUNNING, DON’T LET THE £££’S SLIP AWAY, CONTACT UNITE TAX REFUND TODAY!
Call now on FREEPHONE 0333 240 6122 or TEXT ‘REBATE’ to 60777 ALLOWABLE EXPENSES FOR TAXI DRIVERS • Petrol or diesel costs • Repairs, servicing and running the taxi • The costs of your annual road tax and your MOT test • The cost of washing or cleaning your own taxi • Interest on any bank or personal loans taken out to purchase your taxi
• Your settle, radio, license and any other registration fees • The cost of running your office (if you have one) or use of your home • Vehicle insurance • AA/RAC membership • Accountancy fees • Advertising • Phone usage for business • Parking & toll fees
We charge a discounted fee of £150 +VAT for self assessment
We can also deal with Limited Company accounts E: info@yourtaxrefund.co.uk www.yourtaxrefund.co.uk Terms & Conditions Unite Tax Refund Service offers a free, no obligation, review of your eligibility for a tax refund. Should you continue with the service a fee of 25% + vat of any refund is applicable. No refund no fee. Other tax services are available at an additional cost - please ask for details. An annual contribution is made to the Unite Benevolent Fund from the Unite Tax Refund Service. About Unite Tax Refund Unite Tax Refund service is in association with Your Tax Refund Limited. Registered Office: Office 1, Eastham Hall, 109 Eastham Village Road, Eastham Village, Wirral CH62 0AF. Registered Number: 07735007.
28
Winter 2016/17
Unite South East Cabs
www.cabtradenews.org
e t a d p U
facebook.com/cabtradenews
Adur Council West Sussex is proposing the introduction of a penalty point system. If introduced it would mean that council enforcement officers would have the power to issue penalty points against a driver for not wearing his badge, over-ranking, dirty vehicle etc. A totting up process could lead to a suspension of licence. Worthing and Mid Sussex councils are also looking at this idea we believe. Unite is robustly resisting this proposal and have successfully delayed implementation in Adur. We are now preparing a series of questions for councillors having obtained legal advice. We know that similar systems operate elsewhere in the Region and ask that if any Unite member is issued penalty points to contact us immediately. For
instance, in Portsmouth recently council officers threatened to issue penalty points against drivers overranking at Fratton Station and at a City Centre rank. Unite responded strongly and we are unaware of any penalty points being issued to any driver.
Southampton City Council (SCC) is updating its fit and proper person policy and have decided to impose an extra ban on drivers seeking to return to work after a ban for getting twelve points on their licence. An extra three month SCC ban is being suggested after a driving ban of six months. Similarly to Adur above questions are being prepared for councillors to consider. Unite is absolutely clear – Any member falling foul of this imposition will be fully represented at
29
BY STEVE FRICKER
@cabtradenews
any hearing and if a satisfactory outcome is not achieved, will also be represented at the Magistrates Court on appeal.
In Whitstable in Kent the council proposed removing the only town centre rank claiming that it was underused. However, strong representations by Unite has led to the Council retaining the rank Canterbury City Council are allowing licensed private hire vehicles to use the word TAXI within a company name. Unite is challenging this.
Uber continue to cause problems for the licensed taxi and private hire trades and some of the issues and responses to those are taken up on pages 3,10 and 21 of this issue of Cab Trade News.
Winter 2016/17
UNITE TAXI www.cabtradenews.org
facebook.com/cabtradenews
Unite Taxi Education has been delivering both the VRQ in the Introduction to Taxi and Private Hire Industry (QCF) and the Road Passenger Vehicle Driving Taxi and Private Hire (QCF) qualifications for the past nine years. Originally it was a three month trial but we are still going as strong as ever almost ten years later. The delivery of these courses has benefited drivers throughout the country. In this period we have completed over 9,000 VRQ, NVQ’s (QCF’s) and our course delivers all the information a driver needs to protect themselves and their passengers. The course structure is set out so it bests suits the driver by trying not to impact on his daily routine. The course covers health and safety, road safety,
@cabtradenews
customer services, vehicle maintenance, routes and fares, transporting parcels and luggage, transporting children including safeguarding, transporting passengers who need assistance including wheelchair accessibility and finally regulations which covers all the do’s and don’ts for the Hackney or private hire driver / operator. The project has evolved from a basic delivery model to an enhanced delivery model that has earned us the accreditation of Pearson EDI’s top centre in this field. By using our purpose built Training Cab for assistance and CCTV cameras for observation as well as many other assessment methods we can get the best out of the candidates and at the same
30
time achieve the highest possible level of Education. Our Education Centre at Bute Street, Liverpool has three computer suites / classrooms and a classroom for delivery only. We also have the main office and a Library where we can conduct Guided Discussions in private. All our assessors have A1 awards in Assessing Candidates and PTTLE’s. We have 5 Onsite IQA’s and all our policies and procedures are in place. As part of the education structure of Unite the union we strive to deliver the best education package as possible so that everyone who learns with us leave with the ability to competently carry out their duties in whatever field they are employed in.
Winter 2016/17
UniCabs North Western Co-operative Ltd. www.cabtradenews.org
facebook.com/cabtradenews
@cabtradenews
PRESS RELEASE
Unicabs North Western insurance co-operative formed by and for cab and taxi drivers in Liverpool.
Unicabs North West was formed in late 2003 by Unite Taxi drivers to create its own independent Insurance company to combat the increasing rises to Hackney Carriage Insurance throughout the North West.
brokers. They then used these alliances to drive down the insurance premiums.
There were over 350 members who all invested £250 to form the co-operative. There were a lot of struggles that the co-op faced to start with and unfortunately could not get the backing of a major underwriter.
The average insurance policy for Hackney Drivers at this time was over £4000 and as high as £6000. Obviously this could not continue as it was driving members out of the trade. It was mainly attributed to the committee who worked tirelessly to make headway into these over inflated premiums and after several years we saw a dramatic down turn in price. Now the average cost is in the region of £1800.
Unicabs then changed attack and used the power of negotiation to form alliances with different Insurance
Unicabs North West has been dormant for about four years now and after serving its purpose it has been decided to dissolve.
31
In this dissolution all the members will or have had their original investment returned along with a dividend depending on the length of time their share was active for over the past six years. Not only has this been a good investment for the members by giving a return on their money, it has saved members and non members literally thousands of pounds in insurance premiums. Thank You Unicabs North West it just shows that when we unite and stick together we can achieve great things. The Committee Unicabs NW
Winter 2016/17
www.cabtradenews.org
facebook.com/cabtradenews
@cabtradenews
Mark’s Missive XV1I
(Crazy Eurpean Exit 2)
Let the people decide...what could possibly go wrong? I wrote an article for Cab trade News not long after news broke of David Cameron’s negotiations in Brussels during February this year. He announced news of impending referendum on June 23rd. Here is the follow-up to CREXIT; Crexit 2…. The referendum was one big gamble and David Cameron lost, making him one of our most disastrous prime ministers ever! Ranking alongside Lord North, who lost Britain the colonies of the North America (US) during the reign of George III, Neville Chamberlain, who tried appeasement with Hitler plus Margaret Thatcher, whose eleven year premiership has been well documented for its shortcomings. For me, this has been one of the most monumental events in my lifetime. It left me stunned, unable to write anything for a long while. The nation voted itself poorer, voted away opportunity, and opened divisions with friends and families, showed horrible ugly intolerance. It is an epochicide, the killing of an era. I want my country back. I want back the country I had before the bloody referendum was called.
32
Dreadful David Cameron only really had less than a year as prime minister in his own right. He couldn't win the 2010 Election on his own and had to go into coalition with the Lib Dems. He only got a narrow twelve seat majority in 2015 and played political games at the behest of the Tory party who have been fighting over the European Union for most of my life. In short, Dave blew it! He called a referendum a little over six months after winning an election outright and got it all wrong…. what a bright spark! Cameron became toxic. Along with other leading Conservatives like George Osborne and Boris Johnson, these posh boys created a mess, which Mother Theresa may be able to sort out? At the time of writing it all looks very confused with very little idea of where the country is going. Brexit means Brexit is just glib nonsense. Dodgy Dave has presided over economic uncertainty, forgone opportunity, allowed racism and xenophobia to flourish…. How did he manage to conjure up such a shambles? Well, and phew! Well again, you have to go back a long way to understand the Conservative scepticism of all things European.
Winter 2016/17
BY MARK EDWARD TAYLOR
Back to the mid fifties in fact, as Europe tried to come to some kind of consensus, after hundreds of years of war. The aftermath of World War II had left some Europeans wanting to see a way of making a lasting peace on the continent. I am grateful to Professor Peter Hennessey of Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London, for describing the way that a group of Clever, French, Catholic, Republican, Bureaucrats; came up with idea of forming a European Union. A COMMON MARKET. So for the British there were five reasons to hate it. Clever, French, Catholic, Republican, Bureaucrats. And six reasons too boot, as these foreigners had the idea in the first place!
Great Britain is arrogant, English, protestant, monarchist and hates bureaucracy. Although, the UK is a great country full of red tape…. Did you know? The company that manufactures red tape is relatively free of bureaucracy.... ha ha! As time passed through the nineteen fifties and early sixties the UK was rebuffed from joining the European club of France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg. However, despite numerous objections from Frenchman Charles De Gaulle, Britain eventually joined the EU in 1973. De Gaulle always stated Britain would be a difficult and awkward partner, and boy…. was he right! In 1973 I was 13 years old, I used to have to help my mother with the family shopping, I notice quite quickly how the supermarket had a lot better produce to choose from and expand our rather narrow diet. Quality orange juice, olive oil, pasta and a variety of other more exotic foods going wonderfully ahead of the prosaic meat and two veg. There were more interesting cheeses and superior coffee. Can you remember Birds Mellow coffee? What a shocking brew…..
on his referendum with a two thirds majority or a voter turnout that prevented only 37% of the electorate taking the country out the world’s most successful trading bloc. Hungary managed to attach such strings, thus nullifying its recent EU related referendum….. Well done again David! David Cameron and his posh boy chums have dished one hell of an Eton mess….the aftermath of the feuding posh boys having Cameron and Osborne playing political games against Boris the Buffoon and Michael Gove, the ventriloquist’s dummy. Triumphant Boris and Gove squabbled further enabling Theresa May to climb witch- like out the mirror she had been hiding in for much of the campaign to gain control of a Tory party who
have been huffing and puffing over Europe for most of my lifetime. And to really cap it all, Mother Theresa then promotes the Buffoon to Foreign Secretary amazing many people. The Buffoon then, on one of his first diplomatic trips, goes to Turkey and states he will assist them in trying to join the EU while having been the poster boy for the Brexit brigade. A Brexit brigade who used the threat of Turkey joining the EU as one of their many lies of ammunition. Turkey, with a poor human rights record, is a very long way from getting into the European club. Breathtakingly unbelievable! After a campaign that split families, strained friendships, saw Jo Cox MP become a high profile fatal casualty, caused an increase in hate crime, had children in school playgrounds crying over their resident status because of Polish, Spanish, Rumanian, French and the other twenty odd countries parental heritage. Brexit had the better term to appeal to voters who had perhaps not thought through the arguments. Brexit has entered the lexicon; it was an advertising agency dream brand. Remain never found a hook to get the public enthused. It is always easier to shout NO.
So after forty-three years of EU membership the UK could leave. As rampant right wing populism manages to force an ill thought referendum victory after having failed on the previous referendum of 1975. As Trump takes America, we may be sleepwalking into the 1930’s as right wing populism with elections in France and Germany beckon. Front National and Alternative for Deutschland leading the hate vote.
Try having a conversation with someone who lived through the 1930’s….
Cameron could have thwarted much of this by having conditions
taylortaxitours@gmail.com
33
However, with legal and political wrangling, the sheer complexities of exiting the European Union, this country may just end up staying. The nation is still split. Right wing populism is rising across the western world; events may just take another turn?
Winter 2016/17
www.cabtradenews.org
facebook.com/cabtradenews
@cabtradenews
BY PAUL LANDAU
HERE’S A THOUGHT... Uber currently makes no defence in openly paying no business or corporate tax at all on any of the money it earns from driver commissions. So consider this, by its selfish attempt to draw all cab drivers into a race to the bottom in both standards and earnings, what they're actually doing is effectively removing over 100,000 tax payers out of the clutches of HMRC. Yeah I hear you say, but it is really a good thing in the end? However, given Uber’s track record of increasing their profit percentage on each fare (currently 30%), their subprime vehicle loans and then reducing the fare charged, in actual fact what it is set to do is create a race to the bottom in earnings for drivers who in effect will then be on far less than the minimum wage and less than a living wage. So, the passengers pay less, the drivers earn less, but the corporate giant earns more yet still paying no taxes in the UK. In effect what they're creating by design and not by default is a society that considers it perfectly okay to pay less for everything, in fact become a bargain basement society. But this doesn't work in the end. The driver still needs to service the regular bills that they've had
previously, still needs to buy food to feed themselves and their families, still needs to maintain their vehicles to the high standard required of their licensing authority and still manage the one thing that most drivers have in today's society - debt! It doesn't really take much thought to work out that at some point the 'straw that broke the camels back' will become obvious. Moreover the situation cannot improve either. With Uber working closely with the giant of Google and head hunting scientists from across silicon valley to create the driverless and green cars, it will then force prices even lower still as all its profit will be in each ride taken and no driver will need and income at all. This then has two effects. Firstly it disposes of the original drivers who survived and secondly, the decent hard working cabbies that fought tooth and nail to depose Uber are then gone also due to pure market driven forces created by this goliath. The strain then on having a previous 100k+ self employed small business men all claiming from the welfare state would place an even greater burden on the UK and equally each countries treasury.
34
There is then the reduced taxation, which is currently collected direct at the pump via the purchase of petrol or diesel. This would be eradicated completely. So, in actual fact the figures of loss just in the UK would not run into mere millions, it wouldn't strain credulity to consider it impacting the UK treasury into the 拢 Billions. What these drivers and passengers should really do is take a long hard look ten years from now at what the cause and effect will be. At the moment the love affair with Uber looks set to continue, but all this speculation could be drawn into a mere loose comment from a trade union representative should the legal case for drivers to be classed as workers be found to be kosher in the legal system. So is it all eyes on wishful thinking from over the pond or do we pick up our British spirit and fight harder than we ever have done in the history of being attacked in our trade. Only we have the power to change all this, but equally so too that of licensing authorities and vehicle manufacturers. Is this fight becoming the cab drivers ' Rourkes Drift "?
Winter 2016/17
Unite works Taxi drivers!
So keep in touch!
Here at Unite we value your membership and it’s important we keep in contact, so you can continue to receive all the latest from your union. So if you’ve moved house, changed your name or employer, want to receive the Cab Trade News or uniteWORKS, Unite’s flagship magazine or know someone who does, then contact your regional office where your membership details can be updated.
To change your details you’ll need to speak to your regional office membership department – or email them direct with your changes. Tel: 01332 548400 or 0845 601 0627 membership.eastmids@unitetheunion.org
Tel: 0141 404 5424 membership.scotland@unitetheunion.org
East Midlands
Scotland
Ireland
Tel: 0118 907 0715 southeast.membershipqueries@unitetheunion.org
Dublin Tel: 00 353 1 873 4577/6611063 membership.ireland@unitetheunion.org Belfast Tel: 02890 020418 or 02890 232381 membership.ireland@unitetheunion.org Tel: 020 8800 4281 membership.londoneastern@unitetheunion.org
London and Eastern
North East, Yorkshire and Humberside
South East
Tel: 0117 923 0555 membership.southwest@unitetheunion.org
South West
Tel: 02920 394521 membership.wales@unitetheunion.org
Wales
Tel: 0121 553 6051 membership.westmids@unitetheunion.org
West Midlands
Tel: 0113 236 4830 membership.northeastyorks@unitetheunion.org Tel: 0151 203 1907 membership.northwest@unitetheunion.org
North West
Problem at work? Contact your regional office.
www.unitetheunion.org
PLUS! Need legal advice on a work related issue? Contact your regional office. Get free initial advice any non-work related legal matter. Call our 24-hour legal helpline on 0800 709 007.
YOUR &$55,$*( $:$,76 :LWK Â… 'HSRVLW &RQWULEXWLRQ
$ 1HZ 7; (XUR (OHJDQFH IURP … 3HU :HHN* 3OXV GHSRVLW DQG ÀQDO UHSD\PHQW
Call 03300 245 922 or visit london-taxis.co.uk for more information
The London Taxi Company 39-41 Brewery Road, London, N7 9QH 03300 245 922
The Only Black Cab
Ascott Cab Company Ltd 1-3 Blackhorse Road, London, SE8 5HY 0208 692 1122
Business users only. *7HUPV DQG FRQGLWLRQV DSSO\ )LQDQFH RIIHU DYDLODEOH RQ 3HUVRQDO &RQWUDFW 3XUFKDVH $35 5HSUHVHQWDWLYH Ã&#x20AC;JXUHV EDVHG RQ 7; (OHJDQFH DXWRPDWLF WUDQVPLVVLRQ DW Â&#x2026; 275 ZLWK D FXVWRPHU GHSRVLW RI Â&#x2026; DQG D GHDOHU GHSRVLW FRQWULEXWLRQ RI Â&#x2026; IROORZHG E\ PRQWKO\ SD\PHQWV RI Â&#x2026; HTXLYDOHQW ZHHNO\ SD\PHQWV RI Â&#x2026; SOXV DQ RSWLRQDO Ã&#x20AC;QDO SD\PHQW RI Â&#x2026; EDVHG XSRQ DQ DQQXDO FRQWUDFWHG PLOHDJH RI RYHU WHUP DQG DQ RSWLRQ WR SXUFKDVH IHH RI Â&#x2026; RQ WKH ODVW SD\PHQW $OO SULFHV LQFOXVLYH RI 9$7 Â&#x2026; GHSRVLWV PD\ EH DYDLODEOH DQG FDQ EH SDLG RQ FROOHFWLRQ WKH DERYH LV DQ H[DPSOH GHSRVLW EDVHG RQ WKH Ã&#x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st 'HFHPEHU 1RW WR EH XVHG LQ FRQMXQFWLRQ ZLWK DQ\ RWKHU RIIHU