Taxi drivers to hold work stoppage on April 1st

DonJose · 24-03-2009 11:32am #1

Here they go again :mad:

Taxi drivers have voted in favour of a further work stoppage, to take place on April 1st.

The protest by SIPTU taxi drivers will take place at Dublin Airport from 7am to 11am.

Drivers are campaigning against the method for issuing licenses, a lack of an appeals process against decisions of the Taxi Regulator and health and safety problems arising from double jobbing.

Branch Organiser Jerry Brennan said that the Goodbody report endorsing an average working week of 52 hours and falling incomes was the last straw, adding "over the coming weeks we will embark on an appropriate series of protests to highlight the plight of our members".

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/0324/breaking24.htm

Cookie_Monster · 24-03-2009 11:36am

DonJose wrote: »

Here they go again :mad:

Taxi drivers have voted in favour of a further work stoppage, to take place on April 1st.

The fools:rolleyes:

/gets coat

paulm17781 · 24-03-2009 11:54am

DonJose wrote: »

Branch Organiser Jerry Brennan said that the Goodbody report endorsing an average working week of 52 hours and falling incomes was the last straw, adding "over the coming weeks we will embark on an appropriate series of protests to highlight the plight of our members".

This is really getting annoying now. If an industry is unprofitable, leave it and let those willing to work in it stay.

bladespin · 24-03-2009 11:58am

paulm17781 wrote: »

This is really getting annoying now. If an industry is unprofitable, leave it and let those willing to work in it stay.

Totally agree, I do feel sorry for the lads that thought they had a job for life as a driver but not for the boys in it for the quick (tax free) buck.

paulm17781 · 24-03-2009 12:05pm

bladespin wrote: »

Totally agree, I do feel sorry for the lads that thought they had a job for life as a driver but not for the boys in it for the quick (tax free) buck.

I feel sorry for anyone who's forced from their job. That includes the 400,00 out of work at the moment. However these people have their jobs and they're trying to limit entry to their industry to keep their jobs. No one else has that so why should they?

These "protests" are a nuisance and it is completely unfair to ask for a sewn up industry. No one else has this and neither should taxi drivers. I am going to mail the Taxi Regulator and Noel Dempsey and ask they keep firm on this. I encourage others who are getting annoyed with this to do the same.

Ste.phen · 24-03-2009 2:22pm

I can't help but wonder what proportion of Taxi drivers are
a) in SIPTU
b) can afford to lose a day's pay

Terrontress · 24-03-2009 2:36pm

Make no mistake. This will be more than simply taxi drivers staying at home for the day. They will be out picketing ranks. This will undoubtedly intimidate other drivers into staying off, even if they have to work to pay for the cars and mortgages that those striking claim to be having difficulty with.

Badabing · 24-03-2009 6:52pm

Is it a strike or a protest and what's the difference?

godtabh · 24-03-2009 7:26pm

What does a picket of the airport involve? The one day I was considering using to get a taxi to the airport.

Looks like it'll be the long term car park (which as it turns out is probably cheaper than a taxi now)

murphaph · 24-03-2009 9:21pm

Does this mean these guys will simply not pick up from Dublin Airport between these times or will block access to the airport or the rank there? If the latter then the book should be thrown at them and cars towed and impounded. The airport is of NATIONAL IMPORTANCE and in this time of reduced international confidence in us, we must not let special interest groups like this wrecklessly endanger the economy/confidence which is weak enough.

nc13 · 24-03-2009 9:34pm

They are turning the people they need against themselves. The public will not like the disruption and not take taxis anymore.

Taxipete29 · 25-03-2009 1:24am

murphaph wrote: »

The airport is of NATIONAL IMPORTANCE and in this time of reduced international confidence in us, we must not let special interest groups like this wrecklessly endanger the economy/confidence which is weak enough.

OMG when are you people going to cop on. Endanger the economy??? This is a protest that has been held almost every week for the last few weeks. They will simply picket the Taxi holding area and maybe a few protesters around the arrivals and departures area although i cant be sure about the last two as Im not a member of SIPTU and dont pick up at the airport.

This will cause little disruption to passengers and none to airlines, the economy or the euro. Its a protest people not a mass takeover of the airport.

Taxipete29 · 25-03-2009 1:28am

paulm17781 wrote: »

I feel sorry for anyone who's forced from their job. That includes the 400,00 out of work at the moment. However these people have their jobs and they're trying to limit entry to their industry to keep their jobs. No one else has that so why should they?

These "protests" are a nuisance and it is completely unfair to ask for a sewn up industry. No one else has this and neither should taxi drivers. I am going to mail the Taxi Regulator and Noel Dempsey and ask they keep firm on this. I encourage others who are getting annoyed with this to do the same.

"Drivers are campaigning against the method for issuing licenses, a lack of an appeals process against decisions of the Taxi Regulator and health and safety problems arising from double jobbing"

How is this asking for a sewn up industry???

LOL at getting any response from Doyle or Dempsey, they dont care about the public either or havent you realised that yet.

Mimikyu · 25-03-2009 1:30am

This post has been deleted.

bobbbb · 25-03-2009 1:54am

Taxipete29 wrote: »

"Drivers are campaigning against the method for issuing licenses, a lack of an appeals process against decisions of the Taxi Regulator and health and safety problems arising from double jobbing"

While we're on health and safety here, why not make sure taxi drivers an only legally work 40 hours a week too.

Spook_ie · 25-03-2009 8:23am

Taxi Drivers For Change

Press release for immediate release 24/3/09

Taxi Drivers For Change have announced that they will be bringing forward their national day of protest to Monday 30th of March. The campaign group are moving the day to support the working Men and Women of I.C.T.U. who have also announced a day of protest on the 30TH of March.

You're gonna need to keep up to speed with this one, if the ICTU change their minds and call off Monday's protest it could change back to April 1st or it could stay in place

Taxipete29 · 25-03-2009 9:58am

bobbbb wrote: »

While we're on health and safety here, why not make sure taxi drivers an only legally work 40 hours a week too.

I would love to be only able to work 40 hours per week and make a living, but its not possible, no taxi driver can do it.

You will also find that Taxi drivers are exempt from the working time directive

paulm17781 · 25-03-2009 10:03am

Taxipete29 wrote: »

I would love to be only able to work 40 hours per week and make a living, but its not possible, no taxi driver can do it.

Taxi driving obviously isn't the job for you then. There seems to be a lot of problems with it. Perhaps you should consider a career change.

mikemac · 25-03-2009 10:09am

murphaph wrote: »

Does this mean these guys will simply not pick up from Dublin Airport between these times or will block access to the airport or the rank there? If the latter then the book should be thrown at them and cars towed and impounded. The airport is of NATIONAL IMPORTANCE and in this time of reduced international confidence in us, we must not let special interest groups like this wrecklessly endanger the economy/confidence which is weak enough.

Airport bylaws.
You can't picket on airport property.
Think of the last baggage handlers strike, they had to picket outside the airport.

bobbbb · 25-03-2009 10:43am

Taxipete29 wrote: »

I would love to be only able to work 40 hours per week and make a living, but its not possible, no taxi driver can do it.

You will also find that Taxi drivers are exempt from the working time directive

So you would put peoples lives at risk by driving while being tired at the wheel instead.

You need another job. You put your own gain ahead of the lives of innocent people. Not nice.

Its a bit of a touchy subject with me. I got a taxi home one night and the driver actually fell asleep at the wheel. went right across the other side of the road before he copped on.

bobbbb · 25-03-2009 10:45am

mikemac wrote: »

Airport bylaws.
You can't picket on airport property.
Think of the last baggage handlers strike, they had to picket outside the airport.

Im sure they'll choke up the roads around the airport, so een public transport cant get there. There needs to be lots of arrests and impounding of cars this time.

Taxipete29 · 25-03-2009 11:06am

bobbbb wrote: »

So you would put peoples lives at risk by driving while being tired at the wheel instead.

You need another job. You put your own gain ahead of the lives of innocent people. Not nice.

Its a bit of a touchy subject with me. I got a taxi home one night and the driver actually fell asleep at the wheel. went right across the other side of the road before he copped on.

I dont drive when im that tired, but some drivers probably do as they have to work those hours in order to provide for their family.

Now if they dont complain and just keep working , happy enough to do so, by the reckoning of nearly everyone on here who is against the drivers, they should be allowed. The changes drivers are proposing would make it possible (hopefully) for drivers to work less hours. You cant have it both ways.

If you are happy to have the Taxi industry continue in its present form then these kind of incidents are going to become more commonplace and dont say you were not warned as this is the kind of Health and Safety concern that drivers have being talking about.

Taxipete29 · 25-03-2009 11:09am

paulm17781 wrote: »

Taxi driving obviously isn't the job for you then. There seems to be a lot of problems with it. Perhaps you should consider a career change.

You know my position on this so I dont know why you continue to spout this kind of rubbish at me.

paulm17781 · 25-03-2009 11:32am

Taxipete29 wrote: »

You know my position on this so I dont know why you continue to spout this kind of rubbish at me.

Because no one should be entitled to a job that is regulated and closed in the exact way they want.

No one else, in any industry has what taxi drivers want.

If a job is too difficult to make a living in, move on and stop bothering everyone else with your sob stories and protests, here and in public.

Taxipete29 · 25-03-2009 11:38am

paulm17781 wrote: »

Because no one should be entitled to a job that is regulated and closed in the exact way they want.

No one else, in any industry has what taxi drivers want.

If a job is too difficult to make a living in, move on and stop bothering everyone else with your sob stories and protests, here and in public.

I have stated numerous times in previous threads that I am actively seeking a career change and until then I will stand with my colleagues in trying to effect change for a better industry for EVERYONE.

These threads are never started by drivers, drivers respond to dispute some of the nonsense that is spouted by people who know nothing about the industry. We are not moaning, we are responding. So if you want that to stop, heres a thought, get people to stop starting these ridiculous threads.

paulm17781 · 25-03-2009 11:56am

Taxipete29 wrote: »

I have stated numerous times in previous threads that I am actively seeking a career change and until then I will stand with my colleagues in trying to effect change for a better industry for EVERYONE.

There are many ways to do this, as I outlined when I "annoyed" you by trying to give suggestions. You lost my support then. Not protesting or arguing here would help your cause more than protesting / arguing.

Taxipete29 wrote: »

These threads are never started by drivers, drivers respond to dispute some of the nonsense that is spouted by people who know nothing about the industry. We are not moaning, we are responding. So if you want that to stop, heres a thought, get people to stop starting these ridiculous threads.

How about you take the high moral ground and stop replying? Nearly every thread turns into you spouting the same argument over and over, I've been reading this board for years, all that's on it these days is taxi threads. Notice I replied to you after you replied to other pieces, all I tried to do was give you honest advice. You're not going to get support from people here and very few support the drivers mandate or approach so perhaps try a new approach and stop protesting / arguing with everyone who doesn't support what you want. No one does other than other drivers. When I am guaranteed what I want from a career, I'll support you all the way until then. Please stop.

Taxipete29 · 25-03-2009 12:08pm

paulm17781 wrote: »

How about you take the high moral ground and stop replying? Nearly every thread turns into you spouting the same argument over and over, I've been reading this board for years, all that's on it these days is taxi threads. Notice I replied to you after you replied to other pieces, all I tried to do was give you honest advice. You're not going to get support from people here and very few support the drivers mandate or approach so perhaps try a new approach and stop protesting / arguing with everyone who doesn't support what you want. No one does other than other drivers. When I am guaranteed what I want from a career, I'll support you all the way until then. Please stop.

I tell you what , I will do a deal with you. I will never post in another Taxi thread while these protests are ongoing if you agree to do the same????

paulm17781 · 25-03-2009 12:22pm

Taxipete29 wrote: »

I tell you what , I will do a deal with you. I will never post in another Taxi thread while these protests are ongoing if you agree to do the same????

It's incredible how reluctant you are to change your approach on this. However I totally agree to that deal. I am just saddened that you won't try to change your tactics.

Taxipete29 · 25-03-2009 12:25pm

paulm17781 wrote: »

It's incredible how reluctant you are to change your approach on this. However I totally agree to that deal. I am just saddened that you won't try to change your tactics.

Im not in a position to change the tactics and Im not sure I agree with the stoppages anymore, but I will still support the changes that are asked for and will support my colleagues.

Glad you agreed, maybe we will speak again when the dust settles on the protesting.

Signed off

thecommander · 25-03-2009 12:28pm

How much does the average taximan earn for working a 40 hour week?

Mimikyu · 25-03-2009 12:34pm

This post has been deleted.

amtaxi · 25-03-2009 1:04pm

-Phuqer- wrote: »

I'd say it all comes down to the hours you're willing to work and whether you are on the radio or in the ranks. Read somewhere recently that some drivers are on less than €10 a hour afair.

That figure would be gross not net - would be quite happy to earn 400 after deductions (expenses - car repayment, maintenance etc.not talking about tax/prsi)

leitrim lad · 25-03-2009 1:08pm

let them strike all they want everyone will just get the bus or the luas, what will they do when the petrol runs out ,complain about that as well

Spook_ie · 25-03-2009 1:09pm

-Phuqer- wrote: »

I'd say it all comes down to the hours you're willing to work and whether you are on the radio or in the ranks. Read somewhere recently that some drivers are on less than €10 a hour afair.

Well I went out last night at 9.00pm, put €20 of Diesel in, went home at 2.00am after 1x€7 fare and 1x€12 fare + €3 tip nett takings on the night for 5 hours before I got fed up and went home €2, if I hadn't had that cup of coffee I could have put some money (€2) away for a rainy day. Luckily I probably won't have to put diesel in tonight, so I suppose I'm up €20 tonight already, without working so far :rolleyes:

amtaxi · 25-03-2009 1:15pm

Spook_ie wrote: »

Well I went out last night at 9.00pm, put €20 of Diesel in, went home at 2.00am after 1x€7 fare and 1x€12 fare + €3 tip nett takings on the night for 5 hours before I got fed up and went home €2, if I hadn't had that cup of coffee I could have put some money (€2) away for a rainy day. Luckily I probably won't have to put diesel in tonight, so I suppose I'm up €20 tonight already, without working so far :rolleyes:

God you did well

- i'm down €5.50 on last night didn't come home till 3!!:(

Fighting Irish · 25-03-2009 1:39pm

nc13 wrote: »

The public will not like the disruption and not take taxis anymore.

Sure buddy, you keep on thinking that

Badabing · 25-03-2009 1:59pm

As a Taxi Driver will i be allowed work at the airport rank monday?

dcr22B · 25-03-2009 2:02pm

Badabing wrote: »

As a Taxi Driver will i be allowed work at the airport rank monday?

If the airport isn't in operation (as looks likely should the day of action go ahead) then it'll be pointless you being there.

Badabing · 25-03-2009 2:05pm

dcr22B wrote: »

If the airport isn't in operation (as looks likely should the day of action go ahead) then it'll be pointless you being there.

Oh rite so the airport staff itself will be on strike and not a few siptu taxi guys.

Spook_ie · 25-03-2009 3:28pm

amtaxi wrote: »

God you did well - i'm down €5.50 on last night didn't come home till 3!!:(

You must have had a cappachino instead of straight coffee or was it that other essential taxi driver drink "Red Bull" :cool:

amtaxi · 25-03-2009 7:26pm

Spook_ie wrote: »

You must have had a cappachino instead of straight coffee or was it that other essential taxi driver drink "Red Bull" :cool:

RED BULL my friend!

Up at 7am this morning - and before screams - no I wasn't out working after 4 hours sleep - just bringing kids to school!

amtaxi · 25-03-2009 7:27pm

amtaxi wrote: »

RED BULL my friend! Up at 7am this morning - and before screams - no I wasn't out working after 4 hours sleep - just bringing kids to school!

By the way REDBULL cheaper than coffee in local shop - now only €1 a can as oppossed to €1.50 a coffee

RasTa · 25-03-2009 7:30pm

Seems like you Taxi drivers would make more as delivery men. Why not do that on the side?

amtaxi · 25-03-2009 7:34pm

RasTa wrote: »

Seems like you Taxi drivers would make more as delivery men. Why not do that on the side?

Already do light courrier as part of my business - delivery woman!:D

RasTa · 25-03-2009 7:35pm

amtaxi wrote: »

delivery woman!:D

What's that?

:D

amtaxi · 25-03-2009 7:38pm

RasTa wrote: »

What's that? :D

Surely I don't have to explain the difference between a man and a woman to you!!!!!!:D

ntlbell · 25-03-2009 7:41pm

RasTa wrote: »

What's that? :D

It's the difference between opening your door to a grunt and a smile

amtaxi · 25-03-2009 7:50pm

ntlbell wrote: »

It's the difference between opening your door to a grunt and a smile

Presuming you mean the girls smile!!!

Gruffalo · 26-03-2009 12:32am

Surely if taxi drivers want to make a real impression with their strike they should have it on weekend nights or are they not willing to pass up the profit.

dcr22B · 26-03-2009 8:55am

Interesting to hear Frank Fahey (Oireachtas Committee on Transport) on The Last Word last night talking about the need for a moratorium on the issuing of new taxi licences, his criticism of the Goodbody report and a general need for a shake-up of the Regulatory system.

We now wait with baited breath to see if Minister Demspy will do anything about it??????????

2qk4u · 26-03-2009 9:22pm

dcr22B wrote: »

Interesting to hear Frank Fahey (Oireachtas Committee on Transport) on The Last Word last night talking about the need for a moratorium on the issuing of new taxi licences, his criticism of the Goodbody report and a general need for a shake-up of the Regulatory system.

We now wait with baited breath to see if Minister Demspy will do anything about it??????????

Yeah, he said it didnt make any sense, and something needs to be done as every taxi driver in the country is hopping mad...

Taxi drivers to hold work stoppage on April 1st

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