The RMT London Taxi branch is starting to begin a campaign aimed at closing down satellite mini-cab offices on a case by case basis.
Led by our Ranks and Highways team and many members who work nights we shall produce evidence and lodge formal complaints with the Taxi Private Hire Directorate of Transport for London (TPH) formerly known as the Public Carriage Office (PCO). We will also complain to the Metropolitan Police and seek their assistance so that the law is enforced in relation to "plying for hire".
All London Taxi trade organisations and unions should remember that the London Taxi-cab driver is granted the privilege of "plying for hire" in return for his/her acceptance of strict licensing controls regarding the standard of driver and type of vehicle we can use to go about our business. It appears to us at the RMT that this has been forgotten by some within our trade and certainly not understood by the Transport for London and its Taxi Private Hire (TPH) Directorate.
RMT London Taxi branch members will be asked to report all incidents of "clip board operations" and "illegal ranking" along with "parking contraventions" outside any venue they witness within the Metropolitan Police District. Please email taxiranks@rmtmail.org.uk with time/date/venue/location and any supporting evidence eg picture/film.
Many Taxi-cab drivers from all trade organisations have taken part in unofficial demonstrations recently and we at the RMT understand their collective frustration with Transport for London management and senior officers within the Metropolitan Police. Our plight will be brought to the attention of the Mayor of London, the London Assembly and all London MP's. We shall also be making direct contact with the new Transport Secretary and the Transport select committee in the House of Commons.
Demonstrations have a role to play within any campaign but the political work behind the scenes is oh so vitally important...
PS a special thank you to Sean Kellet for his sterling work regarding this issue...
