RMT Newcastle taxi drivers launch fight over rip-off permit charges from Virgin East Coast

RMT taxi drivers in Newcastle have launched a major fight with one of the UK’s biggest train operators, Virgin East Coast, over rip-off permit charges that the union says could force members out of their jobs.

RMT drivers held an extraordinary meeting on Thursday to discuss a campaign of action against Virgin, including direct action, to stop this attack on the trade.

The taxi drivers anger is focused on the jacking up the cost of a permit to ply for hire on the short stay car park outside Newcastle Central Station. The new Virgin permit is priced at £2,030 per year- more than the cost of a train station permit in Leicester, Birmingham and Preston combined.

Mick Cash, RMT General Secretary, said that over 130 drivers angry RMT driver attended a meeting on Thursday to discuss their next steps in the campaign.

He said: “Our members are being exploited by Virgin – a wealthy global corporation - with hard working taxi drivers being expected cough up excess of £2,000. That is one of the highest permit prices in the country and is nothing short of extortionate.

“Drivers in Newcastle are paying considerably more than in Leicester, Birmingham  and Preston combined where the price of a permit is £675. All of this fits in with a national trend to try and rob taxi drivers through rip-off fees at a time when the trade is already under severe pressure from cowboy operations like Uber and lightly-regulated private hire outfits who get away with breaking the rules and using the short-term car parks free of charge. It is  a scandal that threatens the livelihoods of our members.

“RMT will stand up for our taxi-driver members and the union is currently taking seeking legal advice and will consider direct action if that is what it takes. We remain available for serious and meaningful talks.”

http://goo.gl/jt6l09
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 LONDON

 Monday, April 25, 2016

GMB To Hold Static Protest For Addison Lee Drivers On Tuesday 26 April Over Low Rates
Addison Lee is the market leader in the business world and so does not need to compete with companies like Uber says GMB.

GMB, the union for private hire drivers, will hold a static protest tomorrow, Tuesday 26th April 2016, for Addison Lee drivers over increased costs and low fare rates set by the company.

GMB has raised a number of concerns with Addison Lee including increased commission from the company, fixed rate insurance and reduced fares, particularly at peak times.

GMB members will meet at 12pm on Tuesday 26th April 2016 at the address as follows:


Berkeley Square,
Mayfair,
London,
W1J 6AF



Steve Garelick, branch secretary for professional drivers, said “We know times are tough, but Addison Lee drivers are the best trained in the industry and are part of a premium brand in London that is being damaged by excessively low fares.

Addison Lee is the market leader in the business world and so does not need to compete with companies like Uber.

Dragging down the brand by reducing rates will mean the loss of high quality drivers, whose replacements will likely be untrained with little experience, which will, in turn, lead to the loss of major accounts, a loss that will be felt by all.”

End

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