• News & events
• 2009 archived press releases
• Diageo workers appeal to CEO: tell us to our faces why we're losing our jobs
• Manchester First Bus drivers continue strike action
• Lansley’s health speech ‘avoids hidden agenda’
• Unite fears BA suffering identity crisis over moves to introduce low-cost carrier charges
• Six ways to put fire in the belly of Alistair Darling, suggests Unite
• Angry cab drivers demonstrate over Salford city council’s plan to end cap on taxi drivers
• Bank of Ireland strike action deferred
• Unite welcomes Postcomm’s efforts to protect the postal service
• Unite criticises latest IBM pension scheme closure proposals as ‘pain for employees and gain for executives’
• Unite announces new dates for Manchester First Bus strike action

Angry cab drivers demonstrate over Salford city council’s plan to end cap on taxi drivers

29th September 2009

WHEN: Wednesday, September 30th at 12.00 noon
WHERE: Hodge Lane, Salford

Unite the union’s Salford cab members will tomorrow (Wednesday 30th September) take part in a second demonstration against proposals by the environment directorate of Salford city council to delimit the control of Hackney carriage numbers with effect from the 1st October 2009.

Cab drivers are angry over Salford city council’s decision to pursue a delimitation policy, which means there is no cap on the number of taxis in the town, despite Unite’s counter proposal of a controlled managed growth policy, which would protect existing drivers’ livelihoods and create job opportunities for new drivers.  

Unite, the UK’s biggest union, is concerned that the proposals would see a significant reduction in drivers’ earnings and that an oversupply of vehicles could cause major traffic congestion throughout Salford.

The union is urging Salford Council to reverse the decision of delimitation in favour of a controlled managed growth policy. 

Unite organiser David Evans said: “Cab drivers are furious at the council’s decision to push through plans to delimit the taxi trade in the area.  It has ignored Unite's proposals of a controlled managed growth policy and refused to hold meaningful talks throughout the whole consultation process.

“The council’s heavy handed approach seems to indicate it is hell bent on destroying the Hackney carriage trade.

“Our members feel putting extra drivers on during a recession will only put their livelihoods at risk.  This is not good news and their anger will be reflected in the ballot box in local council elections. We urge the council to think again.

“The drivers are committed to fighting for their jobs and will take part in convoy of taxis on Wednesday 30th September from midday to make their voice heard.

“We want to let the public know about the likelihood of disruption on Wednesday, but this demonstration is the only way we can make Salford council listen.”

Unite members supported by their colleagues in the wider taxi trade will take part in the protest on Wednesday, September 30th.  A convoy of taxis will leave Hodge Lane, Salford from around 12.00 noon and drive to the Salford council office at Turnpike House, Salford to deliver a letter of protest. Cab drivers staged a successful demonstration on Thursday 17th September.

ENDS