Workers at the London Electrical Vehicle Company (LEVC) had big picket lines on Thursday 13 June.
The Unite union members are demanding a pay rise. They also began an overtime ban this week.
Paul, who works at LEVC building electric cars, told Socialist Worker: “We’ve never had a decent pay rise in the eight years we’ve been at the factory in Ansty Park.
“Pay has gone down and down past where it should be. The union ran some numbers and found that it was almost 20 per cent below the industry average.
"Our pay is now only about £2 or £3 more than the hourly minimum wage.
“We are asking for a 5 per cent pay rise and a £1,000 lump sum. At first the bosses offered us a 3.5 per cent rise and a £350 taxable lump sum. Workers rejected the offer.
“Then they offered us an extra £50 lump sum. The workers thought this was insulting—what’s an extra £50? It’s not even a weekly food shop for a family. It wouldn’t even pay a bill.
“Finally, we got offered a 4 per cent rise with a £500 lump sum, but the bosses said this wouldn’t be back-paid to January and we’d only get back pay from April.
“They said this was their final offer. Workers rejected again and voted to strike.”
Paul explained that years of stagnating pay have pushed workers to get organised. He said they recently elected new union reps and started having much bigger union meetings. Union membership at the factory rose from 30 to around 100.
“People joined the union to be part of this action,” he said. “Now when we have a union meeting the shop floor shuts down.
“Managers made fun of us saying there weren’t enough union members to make a difference. But now when we stop working, production stops.”
Paul added that unity among the workforce meant the picket lines on Thursday were big.
“The mood inside the factory has been bad. We feel like the bosses have taken us for granted,” he said. “But the picket lines were great. Everyone felt good. We’re more united than ever.”
He said that workers are sick of bosses who blame them for bad sales. “But even though they can’t sell the cars, the top bosses are still getting bonuses,” he said. “The bosses want us to accept less because the business is struggling.
“What they don’t seem to understand is that we’re struggling. Many of us can’t afford to run a car to get to work every day.”
After just one day of strikes, the bosses at LEVC said they would sit down for negotiations starting next week. But Paul said that workers are ready to keep striking if they don’t get the offer they want.
Source: https://socialistworker.co.uk/news/electric-picket-lines-in-coventry-black-cab-makers-strike/
A proposal to increase taxi fares in North Yorkshire could see more cabbies lose out to Uber, passengers and drivers have warned.
North Yorkshire Council's ruling executive is expected to ratify new fares when it meets next week on Tuesday 18 June.
If its latest proposals are adopted, it would mean:
A report prepared for councillors on the Conservative-run executive includes details of responses to a consultation on the proposals, which ran last month.
The report describes the responses as "mixed", with some in favour of the increase and some opposed.
Several flag up concerns about the impact of increased fares on cheaper alternatives such as Uber.
One Harrogate driver said: "I urge you to withdraw these new increases and not put up or alter any fares. My town of Harrogate is swamped with Ubers from out of North Yorkshire.
"They undercut our fares and are taking over. I regularly take disabled customers and have to cut my rates as they cannot afford the fares now. Putting up daytime rates is pricing the more needy and vunerable out of getting a taxi."
A hackney carriage driver in Skipton said drivers there had already lost 90% of their work because of high fares and competition from private hire vehicles and Uber.
One person, who said they were on disability benefits, described the increase as "disgusting", adding: "I fear that this will put an end to me using taxis. I can't be the only one either.
"The council has priced them out of the market so I think I will start using the Ubers that I see around."
Another cabbie said the last fare increase had a detrimental effect. They added: "Work has taken a nosedive. With the cost of living the customers cannot afford to pay more. Customers are using app-based PHVs which are cheaper."
A driver in Selby reported a 70 per cent loss in trade, again citing Uber as the cause while another person who responded to the consultation said nighttime tariffs were "already far too high and has resulted in people either walking home or using out-of-town companies such as Uber".
Another objector added the proposed increase: "Makes taxi drivers seem like greedy and money grabbing, as the majority of the public do not realise the costs involved in maintaining a hackney vehicle."
Tory Councillor Greg White previously said some people had called for the maximum charges to be lowered to make North Yorkshire more competitive with nearby areas.
He said a three-mile trip in Barnsley would cost £8.90, but in North Yorkshire it would be £14.98.
The council is expected to approve the changes at next week's meeting.
Source: https://thestrayferret.co.uk/news/transport/fears-taxi-fare-rise-could-see-harrogate-swamped-by-uber
Night-time taxi charges in Glasgow are set to be extended by two hours and an almost 10% rise in fares is planned.
According to glasgowLive, the move — which will allow an extra £1.50 to be charged from 9pm rather than 11pm — has been proposed in the hope of boosting the supply of taxis in the evenings.
Changes were recommended to Glasgow City Council in an independent report by Dr James Cooper, who assessed production costs — including fuel, vehicle and insurance fees — for drivers between September 2022 and February this year.
They include:
Additional Christmas and New Year charges — between 9pm on December 24 and 6am on December 27 and 9pm on December 31 and 6am on January 3 — could rise from £2.50 to £2.70.
Currently, these charges only apply on December 25 and 26 and January 1 and 2.
Robert McLean, of Glasgow Taxis, said the public “rely heavily on taxis to get back out of the city” at night-time. He would “encourage” an increase of the night-time charge from £1.50 to £3 to improve the availability of taxis.
Glasgow’s licensing committee agreed to propose a 9.72% rise to the rates, which will now be open to representations before going back in front of councillors for a final decision.
Last year, an increase of 19.36% was agreed following a previous review. It came into effect in April 2023.
Under the latest plans, the flag fall distance and time are also expected to be changed from 886 yards to 889 yards and 166 seconds to 167 seconds.
Each additional increment could change from a distance not exceeding 196 yards to 179 yards and the time changed from 42 seconds to 38 seconds. However, the distance and time charge would remain at an increment of 30p.
Dr Cooper concluded there had been a 9.72% increase in “the cost of operating a taxi in Glasgow”.
His research considered a range of factors including fuel costs, vehicle purchase and maintenance expenditure, insurance and licence fees and the costs of Low Emission Zone compliance.
A council report stated Glasgow Taxis believe the 10p increase in the night-shift flag fall would “not be effective”. The firm wants to see it rise to £3 at nights and £5 over Christmas and New Year holidays.
It has also suggested the night-time charges should stop at 5am rather than 6am as to “not penalise” workers who start early.
Glasgow Taxis Owners Federation suggested the night charge should be changed to £2, and wants extra charges per person after two passengers.
Dr Cooper’s report stated: “Socio-economic benefits arise from the support of night time industry, with additional safety benefits in encouraging taxi supply to get people home after partying.
“While the decline in the number of drivers within the trade has had an impact and is likely to continue to reduce the active supply at points of key demand - a decrease in the number of vehicles within the fleet can have the impact of refocusing supply away from the least attractive times of day.
“It is noted that evening, family, and night time cusp participation in city activities can and likely will continue to be affected by declining supply.
“We have therefore proposed an update to the measurement of night time supplements.”
Consultation on the plans has been held with the trade and 325 responses were received.
Source: https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/glasgow-night-time-taxi-charges-29348133
On Wednesday 12 June, Saudi Arabia, conducted its first trial for pilotless air taxi in Mecca, with the aim of serving Hajj pilgrims.
The EH216-S eVTOL electric aerial vehicle took off in an autonomous trial attended by the Kingdom’s Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh al-Jasser and General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) President Abdulaziz al-Duailej.
“The trial was done in order to make sure the air taxi could provide services during the Hajj season,” al-Jasser told Al Arabiya, speaking from inside the aerial vehicle.
“Pilotless and controlled from the ground, this aircraft fits in two people, and can fly without fuel for a distance of up to 40 kilometers, powered only by electricity, in full compliance with all safety parameters,” he added.
Al-Jasser said full trials and experiments will be carried out in order to develop this service, so that it can fly over a longer distance with an increased speed. The air taxi service aims to transport pilgrims between the holy sites, facilitate emergency travel, airlift medical equipment, and provide logistical services for the transportation of goods, according to a statement from the Transport General Authority, released by Saudi Press Agency.
It is the “world’s first air taxi to be licensed by a civil aviation authority,” the statement added.
“We are following up on all the technologies available in order to be among the first countries that can benefit from these services, particularly in serving Hajj pilgrims,” al-Jasser told Al Arabiya.
Over 1.5 million pilgrims have so far arrived in Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj which begins on Friday, June 14, the Kingdom’s General Directorate of Passports announced earlier this week.
A Drongan taxi driver has appeared in court accused of offering to waive a woman's taxi fare in Cumnock following an alleged sexual assault.
The Cumnock Chronicle reports that James Mitchell pleaded not guilty to the charge of when he appeared in court last week.
The 58-year-old is alleged to have sexually assaulted a female passenger in his taxi by stroking her arm and thigh while at a layby on Skares Road in Cumnock on September 17 last year.
Court papers allege that "for the intention of humiliating, distressing or alarming her", he directed a sexual verbal communication at the woman.
The complaint alleges he 'did make sexual comments to her and offer to waive her taxi fare in return for sexual favours, all without her consent".
Defence solicitor Tony Currie told Sheriff Maria Kicinski his client was pleading not guilty to the charge and that Mr Mitchell intended to lodge a special defence of consent at a trial.
Bail was continued for Mr Mitchell, from Drongan and he will return to court to face the allegations at a later date.
Ways of increasing the amount of wheelchair-accessible taxis across the city are set to be explored to make it easier for those who need one to get one.
Cumbrian taxi drivers are fighting back against proposed licensing changes they fear will cripple their livelihoods.
Bolton taxi drivers are urged to sign up for free safeguarding and disability awareness training before the deadline on October 31st, 2024.
A Conwy Council meeting on Monday revealed a critical failing that allowed a taxi driver whose license had been revoked to continue transporting children to school.
Worcester City Council is seeking public opinion on a proposal to make safeguarding training mandatory for taxi and private hire drivers.
A proposal to increase driver, vehicle and private hire operator licences was discussed on Friday 19 July 19 at Sheffield City Council’s waste and street scene committee.
Through this collaboration, FREENOW willl provide additional benefits giving drivers up to 25% off pay-as-you-go rates across the entire bp pulse electric charging network and discounted fuel at all UK bp branded sites.
Wakefield Licensing, working alongside West Yorks Police Roads Policing unit, NPT, Off-Road Bike Team, Police Intercept Team, DVLA & DVSA, held a Partnership Day of Action at Thornes Park.
A pilot emissions reduction grant scheme providing financial support for hackney carriage drivers to upgrade to cleaner EURO 6 and fully battery powered vehicles has been launched.
The ride-hailing giant has submitted an application for an operator licence to Darlington Borough Council, with a decision expected in August.
Darlington could soon see Uber cars on its streets after the ride-hailing giant applied for a licence to operate in the town.
Stratford-upon-Avon District Council has revoked the licences of two taxi drivers following a series of speeding offences.
A Northampton taxi driver has been found guilty of trafficking cocaine between his home city and Milford Haven.
The move comes after concerns were raised by the taxi industry about the rising cost of purchasing new vehicles.
Guide Dogs charity has asked licensing authorities in England for their support in sharing guidance on the law on carrying guide or other assistance dogs with all taxi and private hire operators.
Reading Taxi Association (RTA) chairman Asif Rashid has slammed Reading Borough Council's proposed phase-out of older petrol and diesel cabs by 2028, calling it a financial burden for drivers.
Dorset Council is poised to review taxi fares across the region, excluding Weymouth and Portland which have separate regulations.
A North Belfast man, Ruairi Fintan Muldoon (31), has been sentenced to 12 months in prison with an additional 12 months on supervised release for a botched attempt to rob a taxi driver.
Passengers are been invited to take part in a survey aimed at finding out if the taxi trade in West Suffolk is accessible to all.
A Glasgow man, Darren Gray, 31, launched into a verbal tirade and racially abused a taxi driver on Paisley Road West on August 19th, 2022.