cab trade news / april 2013

UNITE WITH US FOR THETAXI TRADE LOBBY OF

PARLIAMENT

THE CAMPAIGNING PAPER FOR THE LICENSED TAXI TRADE APRIL 2013

Cab Section

UNITE WITH US FOR THETAXI TRADE LOBBY OF

PARLIAMENT5pm 30th April 2013

5-7pm Committee Room 10 House of CommonsAGAINST THE LAW COMMISSION THREAT TO THE UK TAXI TRADE!

Produced by

WORKING TAXI DRIVERSbelonging to

This is why you should be there!• LONDON IS INCLUDED. THINK NOT? THINK AGAIN!• NATIONAL PRIVATE HIRE LICENSING• NO LOCAL CONTROL OR ENFORCEMENT • A CROSS SECTOR HIRING FREE FOR ALL• PEAK TIME TAXI LICENSING • MINICAB ‘STREET’ BOOKING RANKS• MINICABS ABLE TO CALL THEMSELVES TAXIS

UNITE THE UNION and itstrade partners are calling onall UK taxi drivers to attendthe trade lobby and protecttheir livelihoods by lobbyingtheir MP’s that they shouldtell the Government to scrapits taxi and private hire reviewand the Law Commission’sdevastating proposals.

See pages 2, 4, 8 & 9 for more on the Law Commission proposals and the trade lobby

APRIL 2013 – CAB TRADE NEWS –

MoT NSL Test debaclecontinues

Below are two quotes from HelenChapman, acting General ManagerLTPH, printed in another taxi tradepublication…

“…2 MOT’s per annum, plus a taxi specificcheck by TfL, through our agents, NSL Ltd…”

“Of course there is still a need for TfL toinspect all taxi-specific items that are overand above the MOT testing system at leastonce and issue the taxi licence plate, but Iwant to reiterate that this is not a repeat of theMOT or a mechanical test in any way. This isa simple, shorter test that will look at the taxi-specific elements such as meter and signage.”

Of course we have no problem with eitherquote, it is exactly what we, the United Trade Group (UNITE the UNION, LCDC,LTDA), agreed to some time ago. i.e. ‘Taxi-Specific’, no duplication of any item already tested/checked during either of the 2 MOT tests, unfortunately Helen has either been misinformed or doesn’tunderstand that the items listed will be “a repeat of the MOT” and do contradict her statement “or a mechanical test inanyway”!!!!

Engine, gearbox, axle, differential andtransmission mountings, Fluid leaks,Lights/lenses, dashboard-warning lights,Wipers/washers, Horn, Mirrors, Hand-brake locking mechanism, Windowmechanisms, drivers seat adjustments,Tyres/Wheels.

You can download the taxi test manualfor NSL test from cabtradenews.co.uk andcheck sections 3, 4, 7 and 8, to find theabove items. These are duplicated on theNSL test, that you will already have paid£54.85 for each of the 2 MOT tests…only tothen pay another £102.00 for the same itemsto be tested again by NSL, possibly even onthe same day!!

With the support, once again of theLTDA & LCDC, we at UNITE the UNION,have escalated our complaint to MayorJohnson’s senior advisors as this situation isunfair and definitely not what we agreed to. Along with our demand for a refund tothose drivers who have paid £154.00 for their NSL test just because they booked itbefore April 2nd… if you book your testfrom April 3rd onwards it reverts to £102.00,a situation that has to be against any form ofnatural justice.

Although Helen Chapman and JohnMason have always been amenable andavailable, to respond to any unfair treatmentby SGS in the past and surely will be withNSL. The fact that John Mason has nowmoved on to take on more responsibilitieswithin TfL, just proves our point, and worry,that the NSL manual is permanent but thepeople are temporary. Any new Director inthe future at LTPH would be within theirrights to implement to the letter the NSLmanual without the flexibility promised bythe current incumbents, which could provevery costly for the Taxi Trade.

By PETER BOND

Unite has organised a lobby of Parliamenton 30 April in committee room 10 from 5pm to 7pm. In order to lobby your MP it is best to arrive from 2pm. Every taxi driverin England and Wales is welcome to attend to show your opposition to the LawCommission’s proposals and to tell thegovernment that we want the LawCommission review to be scrapped.

The Law Commission review should bereplaced by the Transport Select Committee who initially made proposals regarding changesto the law that would see an ending of cross-border hiring.

The original demands of Unite were to endcross-border hiring and to stop councils, such asBerwick, blatantly encouraging taxi owners toflout the law. The Transport Select Committeedecided to review taxi and private hire licensingto look at the safety implications of cross borderhiring and other practises such as the Berwickdecision. After listening to all of the evidencefrom Unite and other taxi representatives,evidence from private hire and licensingauthorities, the Select Committee decided that achange in the law was required to stop crossborder hiring and to crack down on taxis beingable to operate in areas they are not licensed for.None of these proposals would have affectedLondon but would have solved serious problemsfor taxi drivers around the country. Unite simplyasked that private hire should be compelled toreturn to their licensing area if they drop offoutside of their area. This is exactly what taxishave to do in order to comply with the law.

Unfortunately, the simple solution proposedby the Select Committee was not to thegovernments liking. They wanted a deregulatoryapproach that would hit taxi drivers and benefitprivate hire owners. So on the day that the SelectCommittee announced its findings, thegovernment undermined them by announcingthat they had asked the Law Commission toreview taxi and private hire licensing. The SelectCommittee is answerable to parliament andcomprises elected MP’s, the Law Commissionis answerable to nobody and comprisesunelected lawyers, barristers and judges. Theseare the people that the government wants todecide on your future. People who have noknowledge of the taxi trade, but have a dogmaticidea that the free market has all the answers.They have preconceived ideas that a deregulatedopen market will deliver the best taxi service forpassengers, despite having no evidence tosupport this. From the very first time Unite metthe Law Commission it was obvious they had nointention of listening to any reasoned argumentbut were set on finding solutions that fitted theirpre-conceived view of free market ideology.

So initially, they wanted a one-tier system,which is still their preferred solution, but foundneither taxi nor private hire wanted this, so theywere forced to accept a two-tier system, whichwe support. But they have still insisted thatprivate hire will have lower standards than taxis.Private hire will have their standards set by thegovernment with no local control by licensingauthorities, whereas taxi standards will continueto be set by the local authority. So localauthorities cannot make private hire more thanone MOT whereas taxis can have up to three.Taxis can be made to be blue, green orwhichever colour the authority wants, but theycannot do anything to private hire. You think ofa condition and taxis will have to meet it, privatehire will not.

On top of this private hire will be licensednationally, whereas taxis will be licensed locally.Private hire will be allowed to pick up anywherein the country unlike taxis which, quite rightly,will still be restricted to their licensing area. Thiswill also apply to private hire operators anddrivers. They will have no boundaries. How thismakes travelling safer for the public is a mysteryto all except the Law Commission. They haveno explanation of how a driver from Carlisle willknow how to work in London and how apassenger in London in a Carlisle vehicle willbe able to complain. It is a recipe for disaster.Private hire will be able to sub-contract jobsaround the country leading to a completeshambles of any licensing system. There will beno accountability to any licensing authority eventhe one that they are licensed by. The LawCommission offer no explanation of how feeswill be collected by a licensing area that doesnot licence vehicles but has to enforce vehiclesfrom outside their area working in their area. Itis likely that a Berwick type licensing authoritywill licence all private hire vehicles, drivers andoperators, with a few areas licensing everything.It won’t make any difference to the private hiredriver or operator where they are licensed asthey will be allowed to work anywhere. So someauthorities will have lots of money with novehicles, drivers or operators to enforce whilstother areas will have lots of vehicles, drivers andoperators to enforce with no income to pay forit. The Law Commission have no explanation ofhow his problem will be solved. This is just oneof many points that Unite has raised that the LawCommission cannot answer. It is a disgrace.

The Law Commission propose to stopcouncils from limiting numbers. This is despitethe Transport Select Committee over-ruling theOffice of Fair Trading on this issue in 2007. Theexplanation is the Law Commission hasresurrected a failed idea that has been totallydiscredited, but it fits the Law Commission’sideology so it must be correct even if it does notwork. The fact that removing quantity controlson the number of plates will destroy the livingof those taxi drivers affected is not a factor theLaw Commission is interested in. All of this andthe Law Commission admits that competitionwill not increase and the likelihood is that therewill be an ‘Arrivaisation’ of the private hireindustry where there will be fewer and fewercompanies until a small number of operatorswill dominate the national market.

There is a lot more to be worried about. Youneed to protect your future by joining Unite onthe taxi lobby of parliament on April 30. Themore drivers that come to the lobby the morelikely the Government is to drop the LawCommission investigation. We can defeat theLaw Commission but only with your help. JoinUnite now and get involved.

Transportfor London

TAXITESTING

Say NO to the Law CommissionLobby of Parliament

30 April 2013Committee Room 10 from 5pm–7pm

This Notice is issued to update the taxi trade onmeasures taken by TfL to assist those drivers andgarages adversely impacted by the London Taxi

Company entering administration.The London Taxi Company exited

administration on 1 February 2013 when Chineseautomobile manufacturer Geely acquired thebusiness and the principal assets of ManganeseBronze Holdings.

TfL have been in discussions with the newmanagement of the London Taxi Company andthey are back in operation in London from theirBrewery Road site.

LTC have informed TfL that they have beenactively taking order for new and used taxis andthey have good levels of stock available to drivers.

During the administration period TfL tooksteps to assist drivers and garages including:

● Allowing Euro 4 taxis to be licensed for up to5 years where as the minimum emissionsstandard for taxis new to licence is Euro

● Issuing some temporary licences to taxisimpacted by the 15 year age limit whichexpired on 14 March 2013Given the positive trading situation with

London Taxi Company and the on goingavailability of new and used Mercedes via KPMwith immediate effect TfL will not be issuing anyfurther temporary licences or extensions toexisting licences for taxis over 15 years old andwill no longer accept any taxis new to licensingunless they meet Euro 5 standard.

John Mason, Director Taxi and Private Hire, 15March 2013. For previous TPH Notices visitwww.tfl.gov.uk/tph

Transport for London

London Taxi and Private Hire

LTPH Notice 12/13

Update on temporary measures implemented to assist driverduring The London Taxi Company administration process

TAXI PRIVATE HIRE


The Daily Mirror has launched a neweditorial page sponsored Unite aimed athighlighting the effects of Governmentcost-cutting.

Real Britain will be written bycampaigning journalist and author RosWynne-Jones, who worked the Mirror full-time until 2008.

The weekly column aims to highlight the“harsh effects” that cuts are having oncommunities across the UK.

Lloyd Embley, editor-in-chief of the DailyMirror, Sunday Mirror and Sunday People,said: “We have already used Real Britain for

a series of investigations into the state of thenation and we wanted to make it a permanentfixture as it fits perfectly with the core valuesof the Daily Mirror.

“I’m delighted Ros is joining us again asshe is quite simply the best at reporting onhow serious issues impact on ordinarypeople.”

Len McCluskey, General Secretary ofUnite, said: “The Mirror has a strongtradition of campaigning journalism andUnite is proud to support its new weeklycolumn Real Britain.’’ Real Britain willappear in the Mirror every Wednesday.

www.unitetheunion.org

ROS WYNNE-JONESRos Wynne-Jones writes the Real Britain column every Wednesdayin the Daily Mirror campaigning against government cuts andstanding up for ordinary people. Protect yourself

your family andyour Licencewith UNITE Legal Cover


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To The Wire!By FRANK HULL

The provincial trade must protest against the proposal to takeaway a local authority’s right to limit fleet numbers. We havefelt, some are still suffering, the serious financial effects ofdelimitation this Law Commission has not! Therefore it shouldnot be allowed to legalise such a heartless proposal... We will.Nay Must!

Fight this proposal to the wire.When we all heard of a Law Commission looking at taxi law we allthought that something legal would come about, like, for instance,outlawing cross-border hiring. Well we are not going to bedisappointed for the Commission seems to be implying that thispractice will be legalised.

To us something vital seems to be missing from this LawCommission; that is, of course, a voice with practical experience ofthe taxi trade in this country.

We were pleased to hear that the Law Commission believed incontinuing with a two tier system. However, it went on to suggest aNational PHV Licence. This we know will have an adverse effecton that two tier system. Whilst this might be good news for all ofthose PHV fleet owners, it is bad news for us taxi drivers and wouldprove to be a nightmare for those who administer this trade,including diminishing local police forces.

The Commission has stated that the new laws will focus on lessregulation. Yet in the same breath, it talks of taxi circuits having tohold an operators’ licence. This proposal has been argued severaltimes in court and was resolved with the Brentwood case that foundthat licensed taxi circuits do not need operators’ licences.

PHV drivers do not legally have to work on a circuit they canwork on their own but they must have an operators licence and keeprecords If operator licensing is introduced into the taxi trade it isdifficult to see how individual taxi drivers who take private bookingscould be treated any differently to the PHV driver. Perhaps thethought is to allow any individual PHV or taxi driver to undertakeprivate bookings without legally having to have an operator licence.In the meantime we see another nightmare emerging...

We have mentioned here just a couple of things from theseproposals that concern us. They should concern every licensed taxidriver in this country; for whilst they will directly affect theprovincial taxi trade they will also indirectly affect metropolitan taxitrades.

Over the run up to April 30th, we will be up and down thecountry pointing out other proposals from the Law Commission thatshould concern us all.

Some of these, as we have said,we will fight up to the wire!

If you want to unite with us and get the Law Commission’sproposals stopped, fill in the form on Page 15.

Lobby of Parliament30 April 2013

CTNComment

Telephone020 7377

5772


Peter J RoseSecretary UNITE Cab Section, London Branch

UNITE THE UNION

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WHAT IT COSTS£13.96 (Unite Core) per month

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Free Legal Advice and AssistanceOn any matter relating to your work as a taxi driver or anything else you need advice on UNITE CareXpress provides an easily accessible free legal helpline. The UNITE also provides a Free Will Service.

AccountancyMartin Cordell provides a comprehensive accountancy service for only £350 (VAT inclusive) per year for UNITE members.

First rate skills at all levels, in dealing with the:

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on such issues as:FaresVehicle designRanksBus Lanes, Traffic schemesLicence appeals, etc.

on policiesdemocratically decided by

youThe UNITE the Union Cab Trade Advisory Committee administer the Section Fund on behalf of the Cab members in London & Eastern.

To apply, please complete the application form on Page 11

UNITE the Union seeks to obtain the best possible deal for union members it cannot, however, accept any liability for thebenefits provided by outside organisations.

I couldn’t help but smile when I read anarticle posted on the CIO, business tech-nology website (http://www.cio.com.au).The post was about taxi hailing apps, moreprecisely about a late comer to the market.

Radio Taxis Group are about to launch along overdue taxi booking app on to themarket, its name? Well after what would seemto be much deliberation and in the face ofmany snappy app monikers, they havedecided upon the highly original, “RadioTaxis, London’s Black Cab”. First thought is,let us hope they have more than one?Otherwise, the venture would seem to bedoomed before it starts. Another problem forthem will be how, as an existing radio taxicircuit they view this new way of hailing orbooking a taxi in the first place. The CIOarticle quotes Radio Taxis Chairman asdescribing these new services as “RogueApps” and that they had seen enough of them.

You have to sympathise a bit with thatview. There you are in total control, You havethe radio circuit, a very expensive thing to setup, you have the drivers, where else can theygo, when all of a sudden some geek with alaptop and a Smartphone comes up with away to connect taxi drivers with theircustomers directly. No booking fee or maybea very small one, no administration fee, noVAT, etc etc. More than that no guarantiedrevenue to gain by charging drivers asubscription fee for the radio circuit ‘service’No wonder they call them ‘rogue’. They areswimming against the status quo, offering aservice with no hidden extras, for not only theconsumer but the driver also.

Twenty years ago, London’s streets werefull of radio circuit cabs; every other cabseemed to have a circuit logo on it. Therewere even waiting lists to get on them. Overtime, this has changed. Minicabs gotlicensed; legitimised and the radio circuitssaw this as a way to tap into a new revenuestreams. Drivers were told that their circuitswould have to ‘get into’ private hire. “If ourcircuit doesn’t, the others will, and we willget left behind” they were told. Perhaps themanagement of the circuits actually believedthat, perhaps they still do, let us give them thebenefit of the doubt. However, the result ofthe move has been a decline in the number ofdrivers on ‘radio’. Drivers started havingtheir cab’s radio equipment stripped out asthey saw more and more of the work they hadbeen doing going into private hire. Privatehire that in many cases had been supplied totheir former customers by their own radiocircuit. Consequently, the radio circuitwaiting list reversed. Drivers were and are,now on waiting lists to come off the circuits.

As radio circuits have been losing drivers,and since the licensing of private hire, sorryminicabs, at least one minicab circuit hasbeen doing very well. Growing and growing.So much so that it is now that firms circuitlogo you see on the back of what seems likeevery other car. So big is it now that it doesn’tthink twice about challenging the authorities

regarding the use of bus lanes etc.Fortunately, it hasn’t won yet, so far! So bighas it become that when drivers do manageto land the odd ‘radio job’ it’s no surprise tofind that when they arrive at the pickupaddress the cab is outnumbered, 3, 4, 5 – 1 bythis company’s vehicles. No wonder taxidrivers were wondering if the days ofbooking a taxi by phone was finished.Fortunately, something has changed.

Enter the apps and a customer recon-nection with the concept of booking a taxi by phone.

Over the last twelve months or so therehas been a phenomenal growth in the numberof people, taxi customers using apps to ordercabs. True first to market was our very largeminicab company with an app that everyonewas talking about, taxi radio circuit driverswere asking, “Where’s our circuits bookingapp?” Sadly, in these days of, things needingto be done yesterday the circuits were slow torespond. Only now are they beginning to rolltheir own versions of the booking app, let ushope it is not too late. It’s going to be an uphill struggle, especially if they want to attractnew radio circuit drivers with their apps

Unfortunately, for them, these days’drivers don’t need to pay expensive radiocircuit fees or have ‘fitted equipment’ in theircabs to connect with their customers or takecredit cards. They don’t need the circuits tokeep in touch with each other; radio circuitsused to provide that service too. The Circuitshave been replaced on that front by the mobilephone, now smart-phones and using Twitter,BlackBerry, Whatsapp etc is the way driverskeep in touch. Obviously not whilst driving.

Google has replaced the circuit controlroom staff reaching for the phonebook whenyou don’t know the address of a new nightclub.Radio circuits need to offer drivers more.

A friend of mine recently came off hiscircuit after many years, because it wanted toplace a credit card terminal in full view of his‘street customers’. Are they trying to converttheir drivers ‘street cash work’ into a, we take10% of the total credit card work, surely not?Although he is now off the radio, he refusesto embrace the apps. He thinks they will be apassing phase. He may be right, I don’t agree.I think apps are going to be around a longwhile yet. Perhaps they will evolve; perhapsthey will change, perhaps becoming morelike old style radio circuits themselves. Thereis one ‘app’ service out there that alreadyuses a ‘free to the driver’ dedicated tabletrather than the drivers phone to deliver work.Let’s hope not. Let’s hope they stay faithfulto the industry that gave them the businessopportunity in the first place, the taxiindustry. Lets hope that via the LawCommission they are not ‘forced’ to offer theapps to private hire because the LawCommission sees them as being anticompetitive and should be available to bothtrades, let’s hope not.

Be seeing you on the 30th.

A ROGUE BY ANY OTHER NAME@peterjrose1


Customers looking to buy a new TX4 from The London Taxi Company can do sonow with some added reassurance and with no change to the list prices.

As well as the comprehensive 3 year, 100,000 mile vehicle warranty and 3year unlimited mileage core engine warranty, the company has nowconfirmed that all new TX4s have had steering boxes, radiators, interiortrim, check-straps and turbo hoses replaced with components of improveddesign and superior quality.

Commenting on the improvements, UK Retail Director, Rob Laidler said: “This is the first demonstration of our commitment to improve product quality. We are well aware that it is easy to pay lip service and talk about our aspirations toimprove the durability of our product.

“We wanted to be able to show the trade tangible improvements as soon as possibleafter we re-launched as a company.”

All new TX4s purchased from the recently reopened London Taxi Companydealerships across the UK have received the refinements. Customers are beinginvited to visit their closest branch to see the improvements for themselves.

TX4 Elegance (Automatic) is still available from £35,995 or from just £135per week - for more information, please call 0207 700 0888 (London),02476 572040 (Coventry) or 0161 831 3434 (Manchester), or alternatively,visit www.london-taxis.co.uk

London Taxi Companylaunches TX4 enhancementprogramme

First TX4 Handed Over

The first TX4 of the newly re-launchedLondon Taxi Company has been handedover to driver-owner of 3 years, Mr DavidScragg.

David, who spent 27 years in the printingindustry, working on titles such as theGuardian, the Express and the Star, tookownership of his Aero Blue ’13 plate TX4Elegance Auto at Brewery Road on Thursday21 March.

Commenting on his purchase David said: “I can’t believe I got the first one and I can’t wait to get it out onto the ranks. The first thing that the other drivers will look at is the ’13 plate!”

David was handed his keys by UKCustomer Relationship Manager LorenzoBugliari, who said: “We’ve spent the last three weeks, working hard, taking orders and meeting new and old customers,which has been great. But I’m over

the moon that we have started to handvehicles over now; this will be the first of many.”

Customers are being advised that there is 2-3 week waiting period for new vehicles, as all existing stock now has to gothrough a stringent vehicle preparationinspection, which also includes the fitment of components of improved quality.

New vehicles can still be bought through the £135 per week PCP deal, which includes a four year extended warranty with the option to buy the vehicle for a guaranteed residualvalue, trade up or simply walk away at theend of the term.

To find out more or to make an appoint-ment, drivers can contact the CustomerRelationship Team on 0207 700 0888 oremail [email protected]; alterna-tively, information and updates are alsoavailable at www.london-taxis.co.uk

The Transport for London (TfL) Board hasnow approved changes to the taxi and privatehire licence fees and taxi for 2013/14.

This notice sets out a summary of thechanges that will come into effect in April2013. New licence fees will be applied from2 April 2013 and the revised taxi fares andtariffs are valid from 6 April 2013:

Taxi and Private Hire Licence FeesThe annual review of licence fees has beenundertaken and changes have been approvedby the TfL Board. The review ensures that thefees must be calculated to fully recover thecost of providing the licensing services.

The changes to licence fees include:● A reduction in the licence fee for taxi

and private hire vehicles respectively.This is as a result of the introductionof the new inspection service. Thisreduction includes the capital costs forthe introduction of the new service,expanding the number of inspectioncentres available and improved thefacilities available at each of thesesites;

● A reduction in the private hire driverlicence fee to reflect the continuinghigh volume of applications for theselicences and to reduce the surplusincome in this area, it was consideredthat this reduction should take effect inApril 2013:

● An increase in Knowledge of Londonwritten examination and appearancefees to further reduce the subsidy fromlicensed taxi drivers; and

● An increase in private hire operatorand variation fees to better reflect the

compliance activity that takes place inthis area.

Full details of the new licence fees, whichwill be effective from 2 April 2013, areenclosed in Appendix A.

Taxi FaresThe changes approved by the Board include:

● A 1.7% increase to taxi fares● A 40 pence additional charge which

will be implemented only if Londonretail diesel prices (as measured by theArval index) reach 180.3 pence/litre

● An 80 pence increase to the HeathrowAirport extra, which covers taxijourneys starting from HeathrowAirport, taking this from £2.40 to£3.20

Full details of the new tariff rates areenclosed in Appendix B along with averageand example fares.

The increase to taxi fares is calculatedusing the Cost Index and combines changesin the costs of operating a taxi in Londonwith national earnings to produce a changein average fares.

The new taxi fares and tariffs come intoeffect on Saturday 6 April 2013 so you needto have your meter updated on this date or asclose to this date as possible.

A copy of the fares consultation paper isstill available on the TfL website here . Thepapers considered by the TfL Board inrespect of taxi fares and taxi and private hirelicence fees are available here.

John Mason, Director Taxi and PrivateHire, 12 March 2013. For previous TPHNotices visit www.tfl.gov.uk/tph



LTPH Notice 11/13

Taxi Fares and Taxi and Private Hire Licence Fees Update

Appendix A: Licence Fees applicable from 2 April 2013

TAXI PRIVATE HIRE


Free credit card facility – Why wouldn’t you?We’re convinced we have a good thing with the cab:app free credit cardfacility and that it’s easy to use, turns out we’re not alone: James in Norwich Tweeted ‘@cabapp I just used the credit card facility on the app . . . veryeasy and pain free for the customer !’ Michael in Coventry says ‘I’ve just taken my first card payment using @cabapp - customerwas quite pleased not to have to go to the ATM in the cold :-)’Tony in Bournemouth sums it up ‘I just let a £100 fare go yesterday but now I’vedownloaded cab:app that won’t happen again’ Ross in Birmingham ‘pulled off third from the rank front two cabs couldn’t take the creditcard job – brilliant@cabapp’

We know that payments are processed 3 times per week because we doit in house but it’s more powerful to hear that from the drivers across theUK and Ireland.Gavin in London ‘Very good for credit card fares @cabapp, money in within 2 Days todrivers and that the system is very easy to use’Mike tweeted ‘Superb! Dropped @cabapp job off last night at 23:45, money in bank this am’ Lee in Kent ‘again @cabapp demonstrates it's by far the fastest payer of funds. . . . Atransaction fm y’day arrives in my acc today #supportitfolks’ Ross in Essex ‘Can I just say what a fantastic cc service @cabapp is, quick and easy touse, and they pay 3 times a week #nobrainer’

Use the credit card facility across the UK and Ireland and feel confidentin the knowledge that all transactions are secured by Datacash – aMasterCard company who process a billion transactions per year. With alow 3.9% charge to the passenger you know your giving them a fair deal.

cab:app inventor and Hackney driver Peter Schive commented ‘as a London cabbie forover 10 years I wanted to develop a payment facility that was fair, transparent and secureto help fellow drivers offer improved services at a lower cost to passengers. I’m proud tosay that cab:app has achieved this and is now available to all Hackney carriage drivers andpassengers across the UK and Ireland.’

At cab:app we pride ourselves on providing the sort of customer service we would expect to receive and we thank Andy for his comment on Facebook ‘had a problem today 1e-mail to Peter at cab:app all sorted no problem at all for them. So if you’re not signedup get signed up, great team to do business with thanks again’

To download just copy the link to your phone http://tiny.cc/cabappdriver or go to the appstore and search on 'cab:app for drivers’.

Visit us www.cabapp.netFollow us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/cabapp

And on twitter https://twitter.com/cabapp

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Unite activists are travelling around England andWales to visit every town and city to visit taxi

drivers and explain the Law Commission proposalsto them. Unite has organised a petition to MP’s andparliament asking for the government to scrap theLaw Commission and replace it with the TransportSelect Committee recommendations. (See page 2).

We want as many drivers as possible to sign the

petition in as many licensing areas as possible to

ensure that we reach as many MP’s as possible. The

taxi lobby of parliament is on Tuesday 30th April and in

the next 4 weeks Unite members will be asking you to

sign a petition and to putt a window sticker in your cab.

It is your future and you need to protect it. If you want to

help build the lobby in your area then please contact

one of our Unite activists as shown on the map or

contact Cab Trade News, [email protected]

It is only by you getting involved that we can win. So

sign the petition, come to the lobby of parliament on the

30th April and join Unite. If you arrive at 2pm you will be

able to lobby your MP. Stand up now and make a

difference.

Sign the Petition againsUnite activists travelling the cou

Law Commission threa


Visit our facebook page facebook.com/nosubmission2lawcommissionor the Cab Trade News blogsite cabtradenews.co.uk for further news and updates.

cabtradenews.co.uknosubmission2lawcommission

st the Law Commissionntry to build lobby of Parliament

at to the UK taxi trade

North West contact:Tommy McIntyre, 07778 [email protected]

West Midlands contact:Tommy McIntyre, 07778 [email protected]

North East contact:Paul Landau, 07456 [email protected]

Yorkshire & Humberside contact:Paul Landau, 07456 [email protected]

East Midlands contact:Tommy McIntyre, 07778 [email protected]

East of England contact:Ben Fuente, 07976 [email protected]

London contacts:Peter Rose, 020 3589 [email protected] Hedges, 07958 [email protected]

South East contact:Mike Hedges, 07958 [email protected]

Wales contact:Micky Samroo, 07725 [email protected]

South West contacts:Steve Fricker, 07940 547007Perry McMillan, 07751 [email protected]


Heathrow Learning ZoneUnite the Union

Dear Drivers

Unite the Union has been running lessons in the Learning Centre for the

last year. We are currently enrolling for future courses. You do not have

to be a member of Unite, just a tag holder.

The most popular lessons have been Spanish, French, Basic computers

and Photography. However, we are also going to try and extend the

courses to include maybe Acoustic Guitar and Calligraphy.

We can run any course as long as we have 8 or more people.

So if you have the odd hour to kill, why not join in and have some fun.

Heathrow Learning Zone

Or come into the Portacabinand see Charlie or any of our reps

Contact:

Charlie Johnson

07531 979220

Learning while working it’s a no brainer

John Russell: announced as the newChairman of the West Midlands

Manufacturing consortiumMr Russell, who previously held seniorpositions at Manganese Bronze, HarleyDavidson and Land Rover, aims tounleash the West Midland’s engineeringpotential.

The former electrical engineeringgraduate is keen to use his position at thehelm of WMMC to help create the rightclimate for growth by ensuringmanufacturers receive the specialistassistance they need to expand and createjobs.

“Manufacturers aren’t looking for hand-outs, they are just looking for help with keyissues that are holding them back. This iswhere I believe we can make a realdifference,” said Mr Russell.

“The WMMC’s main role is to deliverthe Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS)in the West Midlands, North West and theNorth East and we’re currently supportingin excess of 4000 companies ever year.”

“This is having a real impact as millionsof pounds have been added to the threeregional economies as a result of MASsupport.”

Mr Russell’s last role before becomingchairman of WMMC was as chief executiveof Manganese Bronze, the firm thatproduces the iconic London black cab.

While at the helm, Mr Russell managed

to overcome a difficult period in thecompany’s history and transferredownership to Chinese firm Geely toensuring production stayed in Coventry.

Lorraine Holmes, chief executive ofWMMC said: “We are delighted to have John Russell on board. His experience inindustrial roles across the world, combinedwith his spell as chairman of CBI WestMidlands, make him the perfect individualto take us forward.”

Published: 20th March 2013 at 9:15am byHarry Dalton. www.themanufacturer.com

Britain’s badly behaved commuters: A third don’t feel guilty about

dangerous driving.UK commuters are behaving badly behindthe wheel, with 65% admitting to their ownbad driving behaviours over the last year,dispelling the patient and polite Britishpersona.

Rushed and stressed commuters don’t feelguilty about driving dangerously or beingdistracted on the road as they race to get to the office on time, according to new research from car insurance provider Allianz Your Cover (www.yourcoverinsurance.co.uk). Infact a fifth (21%) blame their poor habits onother commuters.

The top five bad commuter behaviours are:1. Speeding (30%)2. Careless driving (14%)3. Travelling too fast for the conditions

(14%)4. Tailgating (13%)5. Not looking when changing lanes (13%)

Commuters may however have beentwisting the truth about their bad habits, asalthough nearly a third (30%) admitted tospeeding, more than half (55%) have seenother drivers exceed the speed limit. And thebad habit bluffing doesn’t stop there:● 5% admit they have jumped a red light –

38% have seen other commuters do this● 4% have applied make-up – 22% have

seen other commuters do this● 2% say they failed to stop at a give way

sign – 22% have seen other commuters do this

More than half of British commuters(52%) are in too much of a hurry to drivesafely and are blaming their bad driving on alack of concentration (30%) and being tired(27%). The commuting environment impactsthe workplace as almost half of drivers (43%)believe that their commute affects their moodand can negatively impact their work.

Natalie Woods, of Allianz Your CoverInsurance said: “Our research found thatBritish commuters feel they drive carelesslyduring their journeys due to rushing andtiredness. This is supported by police roadaccident statistics which show that 46%* ofaccidents can be attributed to careless driving.We urge drivers to take a careful andconsiderate approach to their driving in orderto reduce accident rates and improve theexperience of all their fellow commuters anddrivers. One in ten (13%) have witnessed anaccident on their way to work – not the kindof start to the day anybody would want.”

Despite witnessing the bad habits of theirfellow commuters, one in four (27%) hope thata driver would stop to help them if they werein need, a lot less (15%) have actually pulledover to help. The main reason for continuingtheir commute instead of helping a fellowcommuter is to avoid being put in danger(43%). With safety being top prioritybreakdown services can help out those in needenabling other drivers to continue their journey.Other reasons given for not stopping to helpfellow commuters are not knowing how to help(27%), followed by being in a rush (27%).

Ninety-one per cent of motorists do nottrust the government to reinvest moneymade from tolls on new roads, accordingto a survey by the Institute of AdvancedMotorists (IAM).

Sixty per cent of motorists do not supporttoll roads, and seventy-nine per cent ofmotorists would not support the introductionof tolls on existing roads.

Forty per cent of motorists would backmore expensive tax discs instead of chargingtolls on roads. Forty-one per cent wouldn’tsupport toll roads even if other types of taxwere reduced.

Motorists were divided on using tollroads. Forty-seven per cent of motorists saidthey don’t plan their journey to deliberatelyavoid using toll roads, while forty-four percent of motorists do.

Motorists feel strongly about toll roads intheir local area. Fifty-six per cent ofrespondents said that they would use rural orlocal roads to avoid the toll charges, if a tollwas enforced on their local motorway.

IAM chief executive Simon Best said:“The cost of motoring is currently at an all-time high, and it’s clear that the idea of bringing in toll roads has no supportamong everyday motorists. A toll onmotorways, our safest roads, may forcemotorists on to more dangerous rural roads, to save money.”

“The government has a very hard jobahead to convince drivers that tolls are theonly way to deliver new roads and improveexisting ones. Only by reducing othermotoring taxes can this policy gain thesupport of the motorist.”

Motorists want government toreinvest in roads


Delivered BY Taxi DriversFOR Taxi Drivers

0151 207 7522 - 0151 207 7655

[email protected]

VRQ/NVQ Level 2 Passenger transportDelivered by taxi drivers for taxi drivers.

Our team consists of fully qualified V1 internal Quality Assurers. Tutorsand Assessors who will guide you every step of the way towardsgaining your certificate.

If you are an existing driver or wish to become a licensed driver andyou need to gain one of these Certificates, we at UNITE the UNIONTaxi Education can help, we have successfully delivered these coursesthroughout the country.

All courses are tailored to suit the needs of the driver and with theminimum inconvenience.

The course also consists of training in disability awareness andincludes the safe loading of wheelchair passengers using our ownpurpose built taxi.

We work in partnership with numerous colleges and local authoritiestailoring these courses to suit the requirements of their licensingconditions.

For further information please call us on:

0151 207 7522 or 0151 207 7655

or email: Tommy McIntyre – [email protected]

Taxi Education

Call us to see if you

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Call us on

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Further to TPH Notice 07/13, regarding thenew design licences and area identifiersissued on 12 February 2013, this noticeprovides taxi drivers with an update on ourplan to re-issue all taxi driver licences andarea identifiers.

As was set out in TPH Notice 07/13, inorder to re-issue taxi driver licences it isimperative that those drivers who wererequested to provide passport sizedphotographs do so without delay. We wouldlike to thank all the drivers who have alreadydone this.

Unfortunately there are still a significantnumber of taxi drivers who have not providedtheir photographs and any driver who has notyet responded to this request is required to doso without further delay.

Photographs can be emailed [email protected] or posted to:

Taxi Driver Photographs, 4th Floor, Green Zone, Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 8NJ

Given the volume of drivers that are stillrequired to provide photographs, thebedding-in period of the new vehiclelicensing service and the ongoingdevelopment of the new system for driver andoperator licensing, we have decided toreschedule the issue of the replacement taxidriver licences and area identifiers.

This programme of work will be restartedas soon as possible and a furtherannouncement will be made in due course.

Thank you for your understanding andassistance.

John Mason, Director Taxi and PrivateHire, 11 March 2013. For previous TPHNotices visit www.tfl.gov.uk/tph



LTPH Notice 10/13

London Taxi Drivers – New Design Licences and Area Identifiers

TAXI PRIVATE HIRE

THE MOST EXPERIENCED TRADE UNION FIRM IN THE UK

Street LegalBy VICTORIA PHILLIPS

Legal Aid? A thing of the past

THOMPSONSS O L I C I T O R S

T

The government’s devastating attack on access to justice for injured people meansthat from 1 April, if you’re injured in an accident (at work or otherwise) ordevelop a work-related disease in England or Wales, only trade union membersand their families will continue to benefit from a free, independent and specialistlegal service.

The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders (LASPO) Act became lawlast year, in spite of massive opposition from the trade unions, victim support groupsand civil rights organisations. The Act ripped up the current arrangements that enablegenuinely injured people to get legal representation without the risk of having to payfrom their own pocket if their claim is unsuccessful.

This is because the guilty party, usually the employer or their liability insurer, willno longer have to pay the insurance premium that the injured person takes out to coverthe cost of things like medical reports and court fees should they lose.

So unless a case is going to be very straightforward and won’t require lots ofinvestigation and reports (which is rare in work-related accidents and disease cases),non-union solicitors are unlikely to take it on because of the risk of not getting paid.

Lawyers will also be allowed to deduct up to 25% from their clients’ compensationto cover some of their costs, because they will no longer be able to claim them fromthe losing side. So getting 100% compensation may be a thing of the past.

Although many lawyers may continue after 1 April to promise no deductions fromcompensation, they are likely to refuse to take on risky cases that they cannot be surewill succeed.

Or they may agree to take on a complicated claim, but only if the claimant is ableto pay up front for fees, investigations and medical reports.

Unite has always said that members and their families who are injured because ofthe negligence of someone else and successfully claims compensation should receiveit in full. An injured person doesn’t have to accept being referred to a law firm providedby an insurance company, just because they may have legal expenses insurance addedonto their household or motor policies. They have a right to genuinely independentlegal advice, not to be told what their claim is worth by a lawyer who has been giventhe case by an insurance company.

That is why Unite has been working closely with Thompsons since LASPO becamelaw, in order to work out ways in which claims can still be supported.

To benefit from this service, members and their families with personal injuryclaims should contact 0800 709 007 for more details.

TT H E A T R EH E A T R EBy TRUDI-JOY LEVY

THE WINSLOW BOY - at the Old Vic

Terence Rattigan’s plays often had a docu-mentary inspiration and in this play hefictionalises the true story of 13-year-old navalcadet George Archer-Shee, expelled fromOsborne Naval Cadet College on suspicion of theft.

Young Ronnie Winslow, as played by CharlieRowe, struck me as rather too tall to be referredto as “little Ronnie” by his mother (DeborahFindlay) but there is nice chemistry betweenhim and his father, played by Henry Goodman,who seems to physically age as the pressure ofthe court case, coupled with his arthritis takesits toll.

Ronnie is expelled from the Naval College,having been accused - after a perfunctoryinvestigation - of the theft of a five shilling postalorder. His father, Arthur, refuses to accept theAdmiralty’s ruling without a fight. He engagesthe celebrated MP/barrister, Sir Robert Moreton(Peter Sullivan) to defend him. Since the Royal

Navy is protected by Crown immunity, thefamily are excluded from the jurisdiction of acivil court. Similarly, Ronnie is not entitled to acourt martial because, as a cadet, he has not yetenlisted. Sir Robert suggests adopting a legaldevice called the ‘Petition of Right’ to bring thematter before the courts. Within the documentare the words “Let Right Be Done” and thisforms the basis of the play.

Naomi Frederick gives a lovely performanceas Ronnie’s suffragette sister, Catherine, whoseengagement is broken as she supports herbrother’s cause. It is directed by Lindsay Posnerin an authentic pre-First World War set designby Peter McKintosh.

Sadly, in the true case on which this play isbased, George’s father dies soon after the caseconcludes. George enlists in the army, aged 19,at the outbreak of the First World War. He isreported missing in action after the first battleof Ypres and never returns home.

Naomi Frederick (Catherine Winslow) and HenryGoodman (Arthur Winslow). Credit Nobby Clark.

Charlie Rowe (Ronnie Winslow). Credit Nobby Clark.

Peter Sullivan (Sir Robert Morton).Credit Nobby Clark

Charlie Rowe (Ronnie Winslow)and Henry Goodman (ArthurWinslow). Credit Nobby Clark

Charlie Rowe (Ronnie Winslow).Credit Nobby Clark

THE BOOK OR MORMONat the Prince of Wales Theatre

If you’re of the opinion that current ‘politicalcorrectness’ has gone mad then you’ll love thisshow as much as I did. It manages to offend onevery level. This much-hyped religious satiremusical arrives from Broadway, where it wonnine Tony awards. Book, lyrics and music arewritten by Trey Parker and Robert Lopez ofSouth Park fame, and Matt Stone, co-creator ofAvenue Q.

Elder Price (Gavin Creel) and ElderCunningham (Jared Gertner) graduate fromthe Salt Lake City Mormon MissionaryCollege and are sent to Uganda to spread theword, rather than Price’s dream destination ofOrlando. Here they encounter the lawlessGeneral Butt Naked (Chris Jarman) who isterrorising the natives and advocating femalecircumcision. Not only does he suggest to Pricethat he sticks the Book of Mormon where the

sun doesn’t shine, an x-ray reveals that he hashelped him achieve this feat. Of course there isa pretty girl, Nabulungi (Alexia Khadime)whose name the Americans find impossible topronounce, substituting various alternatives,such as Neutrogena.

The songs are exuberant and CaseyNicholaw’s choreography is full of high-octaneenergy. One of the best numbers is “Turn itOff ”, which the missionaries have been told toemploy when they start feeling ‘a little bit gay’.Another number is a dream sequence, set inhell, featuring Hitler, Genghis Khan, JeffreyDahmer and Robert Kardashian, OJ Simpson'slawyer, as dancing demons.

If you’re sensitive or offended by badlanguage, stay away. But, if, like me, you werebrought up on a diet of Tom Lehrer, treatyourself to an evening of laughter.


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The Executive Council has called an electionfor general secretary which will be run inaccordance with Rule 15 and 16. Branchesand workplaces were invited to make anomination for this post.

Members can access the full list ofnominating branches and workplaces for eachcandidate together with their election statementsby visiting unitetheunion.org and logging on toMember Login and accessing the 2013 generalsecretary election materials page. If you needhelp with Member Login please contact the ITHelpdesk on 020 3371 2100.

General questions about the election can be addressed to Unite by e-mail [email protected]

Voting papers will be despatched to memberson week commencing 18 March 2013 and thedeadline for return of papers to the IndependentScrutineer is Friday 12 April 2013. Any memberwho has not received their voting paper byWednesday 3 April 2013 should contact theballot enquiry service on 0800 783 3856 (0818333 155 from the Irish Republic).

A notice for display in workplaces and onbranch notice boards has been sent to all branchsecretaries. You can download a copy of thenotice from the Unite website.

Any member who had joined before 31January 2013 will be eligible to vote in thiselection. The count of voting papers returned willtake place on 13 and 14 April with thedeclaration being made on 15 April.

In accordance with rule 16 (2) the ExecutiveCouncil has appointed Electoral ReformServices (ERS), The Election Centre, 33Clarendon Road, London N8 0NW (020 83658909) as independent scrutineer.

In accordance with Rule 16(3) the ExecutiveCouncil has appointed Keith Ewing to act aselection commissioner. (Keith Ewing can becontacted via the returning officer below).

In accordance with Rule 16(4) the ExecutiveCouncil has appointed Simon Hearn, ElectoralReform Services as returning officer. Anycorrespondence to the returning officer shouldbe sent to him at the address above or by e-mailto [email protected]

Recognise opportunities? Maximise their potential?● The Olympics was the perfect opportunity to end the blacklisting of workers and defeat the

anti-union laws. An opportunity lost.● Chances to make a difference come and go. Len McCluskey talks big but failed to back the

co-ordinated public sector strike last March. A big mistake!

A member not an official, what I share is your experience. That’s the difference.Who in the last 30 years has: Jerry Hicks Len McCluskey

Taken strike action against their boss: YES NO

Occupied their workplace YES NO

Put their job on the line for others. YES NO

● 1975 I joined Rolls Royce as an apprentice: During 30 years, elected Rep, Senior Rep andelected to the Union’s NEC.

● 2003 offered a Regional Officer’s job, I declined on principle. I support elections, notappointments.

● 2005 unlawfully sacked by Rolls Royce for Trade Union activities.● 2011 elected to the National Construction Rank & File committee to help organise a campaign

of protests and unofficial actions to defend agreements. Ending in victory.● 2012 discovered I was on the employers’ illegal blacklist.

I stood for General Secretary in 2008 and 2010. Both times finishing runner-up securing 52,527votes and beating two Assistant General Secretaries in 2010.

[email protected] www.jerryhicks4gs.org

Candidate’s Name: Len McCluskeyDear Unite Member,Three years ago I asked for your vote to become General Secretary and now I’m asking for yourcontinued support to enable me to fulfil the vision for Unite that we’ve started together.

We’ve already built a strong fighting back organisation for working people to be proud of.I have delivered on pledges given:

● Won tough disputes for members at British Airways, in the construction industry (BESNA),Honda cars, London buses, in Print and elsewhere

● Campaigned in the front line against public spending cuts and defending public service jobs,pay and pensions

● Developed a Retired Members Plus package which offers the finest benefits anywhere in themovement

● Stopped waste and focused Unite resources/money delivering and campaigning for you at thesharp end

● Stopping decline 60,000 extra members in organised workplaces through a central organisingdrive – making every member stronger

● Taken Unite into the wider community allowing people not in work to join our family, makingall of us stronger

● Made our voice heard in the Labour Party, speaking up for policies that put working peoplefirst and strongly criticising Labour leaders when necessary.

But there is more to do. Much more.This election is the chance to set the Union’s course for the next five years, building on what

has been achieved. It is the opportunity to confront the challenges of the economic crisis in unityand stability.

I am the only one in this election with the experience of negotiating with global companies andgovernment ministers to deliver the best deal possible for you and your family.

I have a clear vision for Unite, shared by over 1,000 branches and workplaces from all parts ofthe Union. I’m honoured to have your support.

A vision shared by the leaders of our equalities sectors, working with me to put equality at theheart of Unite, fighting against the discrimination that still exists at work and in society againstwomen, black/ethnic minority, LGBT and disabled members.

A vision shared by the Chair and Executive representative of our Retired Members who arebacking my work to give retired workers – the men and women who built our union – a voice atevery level of the Union. This is the generation that fought to build everything we hold dear in oursociety.

If re elected, I will:● Put more resources into winning struggles at work, including a £25m dispute fund● Step up the campaign against the Government’s austerity agenda, fighting for a future that

offers our young people jobs and hope● Defend our NHS with all our might● Demand that state controlled banks stop sacking their employees – Unite members should not

pay the price for the bosses’ blunders● Fight for a rebalancing of the economy with investment in manufacturing and our transport

infrastructure● Demand blacklisting be made a criminal offence and a public inquiry be held into this scandal● Extend our political influence in Westminster, the EU Assembly, the Scottish Parliament, Welsh

Assembly, Stormont and the Dáil

I have a clear positive agenda. My opponent in this election has no such plan, merely a wishlist of gestures which would wreck our union and leave our members defenceless.

Crucially, he’s played no role whatsoever in our union at any level for several years. He is apolitical opportunist relying on the support of the discredited Socialist Workers Party. We must notallow a small political clique to hijack our union.

This is not scaremongering for votes, it’s the truth.Unite belongs to its members and, under my leadership, that’s the way it will stay!

Yours sincerely,

TOGETHER FORWARD, TOGETHER STRONGER, TOGETHER UNITED

www.unite4len.co.uk Twitter: @unite4len Facebook: unite4len [email protected]

Election Addresses General Secretary Election 2013Candidate’s Name: Jerry Hicks

What’s it all about?We are in the biggest union in the country at a time of the greatest economic crisis, experiencingthe biggest cuts and fall in living standards. Pay freezes, pension cuts, fuel poverty, unemployment.In these unprecedented times I don’t get a real sense of urgency or that we have a co-ordinated fightback strategy to win. We ought to be using every resource defending members and their families.

Instead Len McCluskey calls this snap election 3 years early. This is at the wrong time, for thewrong reasons. It’s about clearing the decks for Labour and the 2015 General Election, to ploughour money in without it having scrutiny. It’s also wrong that Len McCluskey wants to extend histime in office until he is 67. Leadership is about setting the right example.

Only a different leadership will make a big enough difference.Jerry Hicks Len McCluskey

Members elect their Unite officials to represent them. YES NOFund Labour, MPs & councillors only after they do the right thing.Negotiate to slash affiliation fees. YES NOThe General Secretary should get an average wage £26,000 not £122,000 plus. YES NOMember controlled Sector ‘Rank and File’ organisation. YES NOConfront the anti union laws and support unofficial action where necessary. YES NO

Provide a strategy for one million Green jobs in design, manufacture and construction. YES NO

I want it so when Unite does the right thing it’s the norm, not cause to bring the bunting out.

Not less: Not the same: But More:● Community Branches are good, but we need more, and quicker.● Workplace branches are logical, but members will agree changes not be told.● Leverage against employers, great, but too often achieving increased redundancy terms where

sustained action could have saved jobs.

What we do wrong we must put right.You know as well as I do what’s wrong and how we can put it right. More democracy, more say,more member control.● Emails/letters go unanswered.● Members too often refused legal representation.● Many sectors such as Construction have insufficient support.● Many Unite officials, paid out of members pockets, blatantly campaigned for Len McCluskey.

Officials must be neutral in future.● Where regions are too big, members will be given a choice to change● Retired members deserve greater status.● Two tier workforce deals are divisive. We need a different approach.

2013 General Secretary election

www.unitetheunion.org


National monthly paper of thelicensed taxi trade

Published by: Cab Trade News, Woodberry, 218 Green Lanes, London N4 2HBDesign & Layout: Stan Busbridge Printed by: Trinity Mirror.

CONTENT MANAGER:Peter J. Rose 07903 525520 Email: [email protected]

EDITORIAL: 020 3589 0322EDITORIAL BOARD:

Mike Hedges, Frank Hull, Peter J. Rose

YES! I want to join UNITE PLEASE COMPLETE IN CAPITAL LETTERSTick boxes where applicable. Write in white area only.

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELFMr/Mrs/Miss/Ms Initials Last Name Male Female

House name or number Rest of home address

Postcode

Date of Birth Contact phone no Email

Day Month Year

As part of the Union’s equal opportunity policy, we ask this question to help us improve the service to our members. Are you:

White/British White/Irish Black/British Black/Irish Black African Black/Caribbean

Bangladeshi Indian Pakistani Chinese Yes No

Black/other White/other Do you have a disability? please specify please specify

WHICH MEMBERSHIP DO YOU REQUIRE Core and Ancillary Core and Ancillary with Driver Care

Unite Core Core with Driver Care

YOUR LICENSING AREA BRANCH NO (if known)

YOUR PREVIOUS UNION MEMBERSHIP Are you now, or have you ever been, a member of this or any other union?

Yes No If Yes, which union or Unite branch? Are you

Yes No If Yes, by how much?

in arrears £

PAYMENT DETAILS Direct Debit

My payments including Section Fund will be £ Annually* Monthly

I WISH TO PAY BY DIRECT DEBIT Instruct your Bank/Building Society to pay by Direct Debit

To the Manager Name of Bank/Building Society Name of Account Holder Sort Code

Bank/Building Society Address Account Number

✓

Direct Debits will be deducted from your account in the middle of the month

Data Protection StatementThe Unite the Union holds personal data about all members. This data is used to process your membership, and to provide you with the benefits and services to which you are entitled under the Rules of the Union. It is also used to provide you with information about the Union, and about other benefits and services which may be of interest to you. It may also be used for statistical or other purposes related to the administration of the Union, and to process any requests you might make for the payment of your subscriptions by direct debit. All membership information is processed in accordance with data protection legislation. For further information, please contact the Unite Head Office.

Direct DebitGuarantee• This Guarantee is offered by all Banks and Building Societies that take part in the Direct Debit Scheme. The

efficiency and security of the Scheme is monitored and protected by our own Bank or Building Society.• If the amount to be paid or the payment date change, the Unite Union will notify you 10 working days in

advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed.• If an error is made by the Unite Union or your Bank or Building Society, you are guaranteed a full and

immediate refund from your branch of the amount paid.• You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by writing to your Bank or Building Society. Please also send a

copy of your letter to us.

YOUR SIGNATUREYour declaration I agree, in the event of being admitted as a member of the Unite the Union , that I am prepared to confirm to its rules and regulations, and such alterations as may be made from time to time in accordance with the constitution of the Union. I agree to the processing of data for the purposes of furthering the objectives of the Union.

Signature

Day Month Year

FOR OFFICE USE ONLYAmount paid Reference Number Date of Entry Employer code

Payroll Code Workplace Code

Location Code Bargaining Group Trade Group Source Code Recruited by Branch Number Branch Fund Code

1

2

3

4

5

6

�

� PLEASE SEND YOUR COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS TO: UNITE THE UNION CAB SECTION, WOODBERRY, 218 GREEN LANES, LONDON N4 2HB

Why DriverCare?For all professional drivers an accident,illness or injury could mean the permanentloss of their licence. And no licence meansno job.

While all Unite members are entitled to awide range of services at work and support inpersonal matters too, Unite’s DriverCarescheme – first introduced in 1997 – offerscompensation for the permanent loss of alicence and extra benefits, including accidentand assault cover, all for a small sum on topof the standard Unite Cab Sectionmembership contribution.

If you’re not a Unite member but think you might benefit from the DriverCarescheme, join Unite now. For existing memberswishing to benefit from DriverCare, contactyour regional office.

DriverCare benefitsFor only 80p a week extra on top of thestandard Unite membership contributiondrivers and their families can benefit fromthe following:• £7,000 cover following loss of licence

due to injury, disability, illness, pooreyesight or assault.

• £5,000 for death or permanent disabilityfollowing an accident at work.

• £1,000 following an assault whileworking.

• Financial support for legal costs incurredwhile working as a licensed taxi driver.

• Help with legal costs and consequentialhardship following being charged withcertain traffic offences.Members over the age of 60 enjoy

increased personal accident cover of £30,000and assault cover of £3,000 in place of lossof licence benefit: full details of benefits areavailable from DriverCare categories, visitunitetheunion.org

Extra coverMembers can exclusively take out top-upcover for loss of licence with additional coverof up to £15,000: contact your regional officefor more details of top-up cover.

ConditionsA number of conditions apply when seekingDriverCare cover following loss of licence, details of which can be [email protected] More details can also befound from local representatives or Uniteregional offices.

Republic of IrelandDrivers in the Republic of Ireland shouldcontact their local representative or regionaloffices for details of the DriverCare financialcover and membership fee in euros.

DriverCare terms and conditions can befound at www.unitetheunion.org

Professional taxi driverswho are members of Unitecan benefit froma unique serviceto support themat work –DriverCare

cab trade news / april 2013

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