Patience Isn't A Virtue I'm Blessed With.... by Harry Wall.

    Driver lead, direct action..D-Day approaches.

Another week closer to D-Day in May and still no sign of the orgs meeting up to plan a joint strategy to fight for our survival, they're all still doing there own thing. I'm assured great strives have been made but we must exercise patience yet still no joint planning committee. 

Patience isn't a virtue I'm blessed with and neither are my creditors as I'm sure is the case for most, if not all, of us. But as the days roll by and my tolerance levels disappear, being asked to have patience is not what I want to here.

Especially when the evidence against Uber driver's incompetence and illegalities are mounting daily, and not just here it's worldwide.

Bernard Hogan-Howe gave a virtual endorsement to law breaking earlier this week when he branded us all moaners, which may well be true but I'd say we had good reason lately given his officers non-interest approach to taxi law. I wonder if he's heard of TRIP (Taxi Response to Major Incidents Project)? It might do him good to find out and enquire if the "competition" have anything like it in place, then apologise in writing. 

To allow rickshaws to ply for hire outside Hamleys and Selfridges on the pavement is shameful, but it's a regular occurrence and as we all know, get your back wheel caught in a box junction and it's curtains. Thankfully, TFLs bitch number 2 is soon to retire so let's hope someone with nuts and integrity replaces him.

The next bit of wonderful news is Pimlico Plumbers boss Charlie Mullins lost his appeal in court this week. It now means he must recognise his staff as employees and afford them the same workers rights all employees are lawfully entitled to.

I say wonderful for two reasons, a) It doesn't bode well for Uber's appeal due soon and b) I can't stand the man.

It should send a message to all "gig economy" type businesses that their days of exploitation are coming to a timely end. It should also set the precedent that ruining industries without any regard for the existing workforce will no longer be tolerated. 

With the Uber virus slowly infecting the whole country it seems the sensible members of society are finally waking up to the reality of what this type of slave labour means. Let me make it absolutely clear, I personally couldn't care less if Uber drivers earned 50p per hour, but it's the knock on effect that impacts on us that leads to my lack of compassion. 

Add their attitude towards us and the hardships their thievery is causing us and our families, I really couldn't give a toss.

However, this may present us with an opportunity.

If and when Uber lose the appeal TFL will be in tatters with the fallout far reaching, our orgs must immediately lodge a joint vote of no confidence in TFL. Also, in my view, this should be closely followed with a concise, detailed plan and request for self governance answerable to the Secretary of State for Transport. 

It should detail enough to outline an interim governing body to replace TFL in all aspects of the day to day running of our trade, made up of the chairmen of all orgs to start with, but quickly followed by a voting process by which all cab drivers can vote for their chosen candidates to fill managerial positions. These positions would have a term life of three years in the interest of fairness but if competent, those men or women would be returned to that position. 

This would mean all cab drivers would be required to belong to an org which would be the only stipulation.

Once this body is in place, trade authorities further a field could use our model as a way forward for their own cab trades nationwide, eventually forming a proper National Taxi Alliance.

In order to achieve any of this our orgs will need to be swift and bold in their actions, no nonsense, just a determination to get the job done. It's up to all of us to encourage them to rise to the challenge that, inspite of it's enormity, can be done providing they leave no prisoners. I honestly think this is our chance to reclaim our right to the livelihood we all worked so hard for. As it stands, all the orgs are waiting for Uber's second license to be granted before any legal challenge is mounted. 

I think that's a mistake but I'm not legally trained so naturally they must take the experts opinion, I don't understand why challenging the first one is a lost cause. The evidence seems impossible to argue with as so many people have said but.............

In conclusion I'd like you all to persevere and "be patient", hopefully the good times will return soon.

Remember, we don't have to settle for anything!

Be lucky .

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Taxi Repeatedly Rams Into Uber Cars On Old Airport Road.

SINGAPORE - A 69-year-old taxi driver is assisting with police investigations after he repeatedly rammed his taxi into several Uber cars outside the Old Airport Road Food Centre on Saturday (Feb 11) morning.

According to a statement from the police, they were alerted to an accident involving a taxi and four other cars along Old Airport Road at 10.02am.

Based on preliminary investigation, the police have ruled out drink driving. The 69-year-old taxi driver is currently assisting with police investigations, the statement said.

The driver can be seen repeatedly reversing the yellow taxi several times then surging forward to hit the car in front of him. The impact of the repeated hits sent the other car surged it forward to hit other vehicles. The taxi driver studiously though avoided hitting the car behind.

Customers at the food outlet have speculated that the taxi driver had a road dispute with the driver of the car in front. But other cabbies are saying the driver snapped when he spotted a line of Uber drivers forming an unofficial rank.

     

A taxi driver who spoke to a local news channel on conditions of anonymity said:

 "The cabbie went berserk because he was frustrated with Uber and Grab for stealing away his business and illegally waiting around the area, forming unofficial ranks, touting and waiting for jobs on their phones .”

He went on to say:

 "We are all upset with these parasites hanging around the airport stealing away at work. It was just a matter of time before a driver lost it".

Taxi company ComfortDelGro who own the London Taxi radio circuit ComCab, has reached out to owners of the damaged cars.

Ms Tammy Tan, group corporate communications officer from ComfortDelGro Corporation Limited, said: "We are relieved no one was injured during the incident. The driver has given his statement to the police and we are assisting them in their investigations. We have also activated our loss adjustors to follow up with owners of the cars that were affected."

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Cabbies threaten dramatic new Uber protest - More Proof Uber Problem Is Being Politically Managed

A dashcam video clip, showing an Uber car driving the wrong way along York's Nunnery Lane

CABBIES have voted to block York city centre unless council bosses heed their angry protests against Uber drivers 'flooding into the city.'

But a council officer has urged them not to 'take matters into their own hands,' saying the authority would investigate complaints and take action where appropriate.

The GMB union said more than 100 hackney and private hire drivers attended a 'stormy' meeting yesterday to vent their anger after City of York Council's alleged opening of rendezvous points for private hire drivers across the city.

A union spokesman said: "These are points where private hire vehicles can wait for calls from their office. The York taxi trade believe that they have been put in place for the benefit of Uber drivers who flood into the city at weekends from outside the area."

Bill Chard, from the GMB’s Professional Drivers’ Association, claimed changes were being introduced without proper consultation and without any demand from the York trade.

"When questioned, the council have replied that they do not have to consult on this issue and even said that they had carried out some consultation," he said.

"There were over one hundred present at our meeting including proprietors and representatives of both Hackney and Private Hire Associations and not one person present said that they had been consulted or accepted any need for these rendezvous points.

"York are acting like some banana republic dictators, riding roughshod over the interests of local drivers and local businesses in favour of outsiders who will not put a single penny into the York economy.”

Terry Osborne, a private hire representative from York, said: “This was another heated meeting with York’s home grown drivers being ignored time and time again by City of York Council."

Attendees spoke of instances they had witnessed or videoed on their phones of drivers from outside the York area acting unlawfully and unsafely and putting lives at risk.

The Press revealed last week that a series of video clips assembled from dashcam footage, showing Uber drivers driving the wrong way down various streets, had been placed on Youtube by York drivers.

Uber said then that it took all allegations of dangerous driving very seriously and would contact the private hire drivers that it could identify as Uber partners and remind them of their obligations.

It said any driver that broke the terms of their Private Hire licence or Uber partnership risked not only losing access to the Uber app, but also risked losing their private hire licence.

Mick Rix, GMB National Officer for the Hackney and private hire trade representing over 20,000 members in the industry came up from London to attend yesterday's meeting, and promised the GMB would back the York drivers' campaign.

He said: “York based drivers meet the city's demand, they are local people who spend their money here and they do not cause extra pollution by driving from West Yorkshire because they are already in the city.

"I understand why the drivers are so angry when they perceive that the council is bending over backwards to appease the outsider UBER vehicles.”

A spokesman added that the meeting concluded with a vote in favour of 'blocking the city centre if the City of York Council continue to ignore the trade.'

Matt Boxall, head of public protection at the council, said private hire pick up points were introduced on both Lendal and Davygate a year and a half ago to help address long standing noise complaints in a nearby area.

“The pick up points were discussed at meetings between the council and the trade on occasions as long ago as January 2014, well over a year before Uber applied for a licence," he said.

"We are not aware of any complaints about the pick up points from the drivers, the public or GMB since and we continue to have regular meetings with drivers. It is important to note that these are merely pick up points, and not waiting areas.”

He added that anyone with a concern about a licensed driver or vehicle should report it on 01904 551525 or public.protection@york.gov.uk, and dangerous driving incidents should also be reported to the police.

“As with any complaint, we will investigate and, where appropriate, take any action as the law allows. We continue to urge drivers not to take matters into their own hands."

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Operation Watch TfL Update : Operation Neon....Tactical Or Political, Truth Or Myth.

So, Operation neon's main purpose was supposed to be -to disrupt and deter touting and illegal plying for hire- Every driver I've spoken to, who's asked COs when in the process of a badge and Bill check, why they are concentrating on Taxi drivers and not tackling the illegally touting Private hire cars parked, double parked, blocking access to Taxi ranks, sitting on Taxi ranks etc... they say we've been told to do badge and Bill only. 

I spoke to three TfL staff myself, two uniformed and one in plain cloths in Praed Street. I asked them why they were only dealing with Taxi drivers outside the Paddington Hilton, when London Street was awash with PH cars, some of their drivers were openly touting on the slope up to the Praed Street exit of Paddington Station. 

They said they'd only been told to deal with Taxi drivers.

I told them I was going back to my Taxi (which was legally parked on a single yellow line, light off) and get my camera to record their operation and would ask them again, why just Taxis? 

I then watched them walk round into London Street and get into a dark blue Ford Galaxy (displaying TfL roundels?) and disappear in the direction of South Wharf Road .  

For some time, we at Taxi Leaks have believed this whole situation is more than just lack of appetite, we've always felt it was more likely to be political. 

After reading the head of compliance's Linkedin profile, it's obvious we were right.....and this is political.

Anand Nandha

Strategic and results focussed individual with over 10 years experience at Senior Manager level, leading large and politically charged operational departments of up to 320 staff.

Lead the Taxi & Private Hire Compliance operation of c90 staff to tackle illegal activity and improve compliance within the Taxi & Private Hire trades in London. 
Manage stakeholder relationships within a highly political and sensitive environment.

            This weeks compliance driver sightings 

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Pimlico Plumbers Loses Appeal Against Self-Employed Status : Uber Next ?

Pimlico Plumbers has lost a court battle over the status of its workers, in the latest legal ruling on employment status in the gig economy.

It came as the government released a report warning that “unscrupulous” employers were in a position to exploit low-paid and low-skilled workers.

Plumber Gary Smith, who worked for Pimlico Plumbers for six years until 2011, had already won an employment tribunal challenging the firm’s view that he was self-employed.

The court of appeal rejected an appeal lodged by Pimlico Plumbers, founded by the Conservative party donor Charlie Mullins.

The firm argued Smith was an “independent contractor” rather than a worker or employee.

Smith’s solicitor, Jacqueline McGuigan, said the ruling held wider implications for gig economy firms such as Deliveroo or Uber, both of which are embroiled in rows over employment status.

“We are absolutely delighted,” McGuigan said. “The decision brings welcome clarity to the issue of employment status relating to work in parts of the economy.”

Speaking outside court, Mullins said: “I am happy. This gives some clarity. We will be looking at the full judgment and there is a good chance we will appeal to the supreme court.”

The UK’s department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) said: “We are determined to make sure our employment rules keep up to date to reflect new ways of working, and that’s why the government asked Matthew Taylor to conduct an independent review into modern working practices.”

But BEIS immediately came under fire from the Green party for failing to publish a report that warned in December 2015 that gig economy workers were at risk of exploitation.

A string of labour disputes have since arisen as staff from firms such as Uber, Deliveroo and CitySprint have fought to have their status upgraded to that of workers or employees.

The report, commissioned by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition, warned that a lack of clarity over workers’ status was allowing “unscrupulous” employers to take advantage of workers.

It explored possibilities including “flipping” the burden of proof in labour disputes, so that employment tribunals would consider complainants to be full employees unless a different relationship could be established.

“Some of the more unscrupulous employers will also have to start to take notice if a significant proportion of their workforce stand up for what is rightfully theirs as a result,” it said.

The Green party said the government’s failure to publish the report since it was completed in December 2015 had increased uncertainty for gig economy workers and forced them to take the risk of going to tribunal.

“It is shameful that Tory ministers have sat on the findings of the coalition’s review into employment status,” said Green co-leader Jonathan Bartley, who wrote to the prime minister in October calling for the report to be published. “As they did so workers everywhere have been living in increasing insecurity and left to fend for themselves.”

Asked why the report had been delayed, BEIS said it had been commissioned to “explore future options” and would help inform the Taylor review into employment status, which was launched a year after the report was published.

Employment law experts said the Pimlico Plumbers ruling would have significant implications for the ongoing dispute over employment status.

Natalie Razeen, employment law solicitor at Russell-Cooke, said the decision “suggests that courts are alive to the inequality of bargaining power faced by individuals in these circumstances. 

“This serves as yet another reminder to employers that they should consider the question of employment or worker status carefully.”

Marian Bloodworth, employment partner at Kemp Little, said the judgment highlighted the need for legal clarity around the status of those working on a self-employed basis and in the gig economy. 

“Tribunals and courts are increasingly willing to look behind the labels businesses use for their staff and will take into account the reality of the working arrangements and relationships,” she said.

The ruling is the latest decision to be handed down in a series of court challenges launched by gig economy workers who feel they should get the same benefits as full-time employees, such as holiday pay and pension.

A cycle courier working for the delivery firm CitySprint won the right earlier this year to paid holidays and minimum pay.

Food delivery firm Deliveroo was told last year it must pay its workers the minimum wage unless they are ruled self-employed by a court or HM Revenue & Customs.

The GMB union is supporting a group of Deliveroo couriers in Brighton who have served two weeks’ notice to their employers to offer better pay and more hours. 

Ride-hailing app Uber lost the right to designate its drivers as self-employed last year, in a ruling it has since appealed against.

Maria Ludkin, the GMB’s legal director, said: “This case, like the Uber case last October, is yet another victory for the bogus self-employed who have been treated appallingly by their employer.

“All they want is basic employment rights as are enjoyed by the majority, including the right to be paid a minimum wage and holiday pay.”

Source: The Guardian 

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TfL Registered Cars Working In Manchester : TfL Say "Nothing We Can Do", DFT DISAGREES

TfL Registered Cars Working in Manchester

TfL say .Nothing We Can Do!

DFT DISAGREES!

TFL has a financial interest in PH licences.

Inaction is unacceptable.

A simple remedy to this would be for the regulator to amend local requirements to stipulate that all pre booked fares should begin, end, or pass through the licensing area. 'Island' arrangements to be made for necessary exceptions.  

Below is an (unredacted) extract from the DFT's response to a recent petition requesting action on the abuse of cross boarder hiring legislation. 

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TfL Complain About Video, Recorded In A Public Place, Showing Badge And Bill Check.... by Jim Thomas.

   Screen shot from the Londonist video on YouTube

There didn't seem to be an issue when TfL gave the Londonist, a propaganda video which named the head of compliance and two alleged compliance officers. 

    Screen shot from the Londonist video on YouTube

The video appeared on the Londonist social media outlets and also posted on YouTube.

    Screen shot from the Londonist video on YouTube

So it was that just after midnight, Taxi Leaks posted the article about the fiasco around the London City Airport. 

To emphasise the biased harassment being dished out by TfL COs, we added the you tube video made from footage gained from FaceBook, showing a CO trying to take signage from a driver which they said had to be removed. 

We believed that if it was good enough for the Londonist to post footage of a compliance operation on social media, then it would be OK for us to do the same.

 

Just after the video was posted we received an email from YouTube saying a complaint had been received over a privacy matter. It appears the first CO's Christian name and badge number was mentioned. It seems there's be rule for them, and a different rule for us...

In our video, the drive refused to handover his signage but removed it on request. When he asked why it had to be removed, he felt the answer written down on the complaint was not what the first CO who appeared to be senior to the other two had originally said. 

The Taxi driver repeated his query, but was told the team was moving on. 

Taxi Leaks has now removed the identification issues and re edited the video shown below. 

What did the compliance officer at do in our video that was so wrong, he didn't want to be recognised ?

Surely, if you've got nothing to hide, filming in a public place, shouldn't be an issue. 

    

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