London Taxi Drivers

The  branch for the increasing number of London taxi workers who are joining RMT. You can read the branch's blog here, and the RMT Heathrow Taxis blog here.

Taxi Union RMT Demands End to "Chaotic" Government Mismanagement of Driver Licenses

TAXI UNION RMT has today written to the Government to demand an end to the chaotic mismanagement of driver licensing which the union says is putting members livelihoods at risk at a time when the trade is coming under unprecedented pressure and attacks.

A licence to operate a taxi is issued by the driver’s local authority. As part of being licensed, taxi drivers are required to have their good character verified via an enhanced criminal records check.

RMT taxi drivers hit back at insulting comments from London Transport Commissioner Sir Peter Hendy

RMT London Taxi Drivers today registered their dismay at comments made by Sir Peter Hendy regarding the licensed taxi trade that it is 'not the job of TFL to protect the taxi trade, but the public'.

In an interview with London's Evening Standard the Transport Commissioners' comments have exposed his gross ignorance of the trade.

As a highly regulated service, the licensed taxi industry provides the public with a safe, secure travel option. Protecting the standards of the industry in turn protect the public.

TAXIS Lobby Of Parliament

From RMT General Secretary Bob Crow

The Law Commission is currently reviewing all legislation relating to taxi and private hire vehicles. Whilst this review, which officials claim is designed to simplify the legislation, could potentially deregulate the industry and as such is a threat to members’ livelihoods, it also presents us with a number of opportunities.

The interim statement of the Law Commission does not commit to legally defining plying for hire, however, it does acknowledge that a two-tier system must remain in place.

RMT London Calling Newsletter June 2013

In this edition of RMT London Calling are stories on:

  • We Will Resist Job Cuts - Fight For A Fully Funded Publicly Owned Underground
  • Defend Clara Osagiede
  • Mobile Supervisors and ICSAs Signal the Start of Post-Olympic Cuts - We Can and Will Defend Pay, Conditions & Job Security
  • APPEAL: FIGHT FOR BRIAN MUNRO’S LIFE!
  • Statement from RMT LT Region on Arson Attack against Islamic centre.
  • Lobby Against Taxi Deregulation
  • Tubelines Pension Dispute Continues
  • Save Whitechapel Ticket Office
  • Pride 2013
  • NSSN Conference

TAXIS Lobby Of Parliament

From RMT General Secretary Bob Crow

The Law Commission is currently reviewing all legislation relating to taxi and private hire vehicles. Whilst this review, which officials claim is designed to simplify the legislation, could potentially deregulate the industry and as such is a threat to members’ livelihoods, it also presents us with a number of opportunities.

The interim statement of the Law Commission does not commit to legally defining plying for hire, however, it does acknowledge that a two-tier system must remain in place.

RMT London Taxi Driver Branch Sets Out Demands On Law Commission Review

We note the interim statement from the Law Commission on its consideration of taxi and private hire
legislation.

We welcome the indication that the Commission will recommend retaining the distinction between taxis and
private hire vehicles (PHVs). We are concerned, however, that the replacement of the concept of ‘plying for hire’ with the concept of ‘pre-booking’ may dilute this distinction and allow private hire vehicles to encroach on taxi drivers’ work. (paragraph 5)

RMT Demands Free Travel For Licensed Taxi Drivers

We note the information on file regarding free and reduced travel facilities for employees of TfL and its subsidiaries and franchisees.

We note that we still need to collate information on these facilities for employees of contractors, as instructed in our previous decisions, and instruct the General Secretary to obtain this.

We note that the original resolution on this issue called for the provision of free travel facilities for licensed taxi drivers, and instruct the General Secretary to ensure that this demand is tabled to the relevant body.