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Salford City council to Delimit Hackney Carriages

by News admin on September 16, 2009 · 2 comments

unite Source: Unite

Unite members supported by their colleagues in the taxi trade will protest on Thursday (17th September) over the proposals by the environment directorate of Salford city council to delimit the control of Hackney carriage numbers with effect from the 1st October 2009.

The decision to delimit the control of Hackney licences, which will see too many cabs with not enough work to go around, was taken despite Unite’s counter proposal of a controlled managed expansion system which is self financing as the cost could be legitimately recovered through licence fees.

Unite’s proposal would have the effect of producing sustainable occupations, which protects existing drivers’ livelihoods whilst simultaneously creating new opportunities for aspiring new drivers. The combination of these elements would also deliver an enhanced Hackney carriage taxi service to members of the public.

Unite organiser, David Evans, said: “Unite is outraged that Salford city council is proposing to adopt a flawed strategy in circumstances where there is a genuine workable alternative.

“Our proposal of controlled expansion of the Hackney fleet is associated with best practice. This system has been adopted by neighbouring licensing areas. Controlled expansion has been in operation in Manchester since 1996; this approach is successful. We urge Salford council to adopt a similar policy.

“Unite takes the view that it is illogical to delimit control of numbers when there is a concrete alternative, which we have submitted to the council. The decision to delimit the number of Hackney carriages has been referred to the city council scrutiny committee which will take place on 21st September.

“We have now organised a mass protest for Thursday (17th September) to highlight the issue of Salford Hackney drivers, and we are seeking further support from Hackney carriage drivers from surrounding areas.

“The aim of the protest is to demonstrate the impact of an oversupply of vehicles and send a clear message to the elected politicians that they have a direct responsibility to protect jobs, rather than destroy them. The council has the scope to reverse the decision of delimitation in favour of a controlled managed growth policy.”

The cab drivers are determined to fight to prevent erosion of their livelihood. The union is confident that the overwhelming majority of the Hackney trade are in full support of Unite’s counter proposal.

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