Once again, The Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers (WCHCD) were delighted to be able to take part in the annual Pancake Races run in the Guildhall Yard, by kind permission of the Chief Commoner. Organised by the Worshipful Company of Poulters in association with The Cook & The Butler, the event is traditionally held on Shrove Tuesday, which is the traditional feast day before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. Lent, the 40 days leading up to Easter, is customarily a time of fasting. Shrove Tuesday became Pancake Day because milk butter and eggs were often the foods given up for Lent.

Back in 2004, the Poulters began the City’s inter-livery pancake race. Then those taking part were Livery companies in some way associated with the making of pancakes. Now other Livery companies have joined the event, which sees the Livery Company Masters and their team’s race along the Guildhall Yard with a pancake in a pan. Each runner has to flip the pancake at least once without dropping it on the floor! Themed hats are worn making it even trickier to run. Unfortunately this year the Master of WCHCD, Andrew Overton was injured during a pre-race practice session and so Geoff Richards, a Past Master and taxi driver, agreed to run on Andrew’s behalf. Taxi drivers who are Freemen and Liverymen of the WCHCD racing included Carlos Oliveira, running in the “Mad Hatters” race; both he and Geoff were second in their respective semi finals. Ric Alford was running in the Liveryman’s race and Brenda Bartlett was in the Ladies Race. Each team has four competitors who compete for the Trophy – frying pans are awarded to the winner of each class final. The Gunmakers Company start each heat with the Clockmakers being responsible for the timing. The Fruiterers provide lemons for the pancakes whilst the Glovers provide the white gloves that are worn by each runner. Sadly WCHCD did not win in their heats this year, but are soon to start training for next years race.

The united trade demo on February 5th proved the depth and strength of unity running through our world famous iconic taxi service at this moment in time. As thousands of drivers joined the protest, the traffic quickly queued and Central London soon became grid-locked. However, the protest was peaceful and proved that it is possible to make our voice heard without any pushing, shoving or need for police intervention.

Perhaps some of the main-stream media missed the exact point of our demo; perhaps they just don’t understand our industry. Or was it that our PR was not that good?  Reports said the black cab trade were annoyed because the minicabs are stealing their work; The Times said: “Hundreds of black cabs caused grid-lock in Central London as they protested against what they see as the encroachment of minicabs. The taxi drivers, who are also worried about a 30 per cent drop in customers because of the recession, blockaded Trafalgar Square, The Mall, Downing Street and the Strand to show their anger at a new scheme that promotes their minicab rivals.” But this is not the whole picture. We are tired of TfL’s constant attempts to put minicabs on the same level as the cab trade. The two industries are different; yes both are providing a service to passengers, but the long journey through The Knowledge to become a licensed taxi driver is the proof that our trade is different. Why try to blur the edges? And it is not just the cab trade who feel this way. John Griffin, Chairman of Addison Lee was heard on LBC radio, when he said: “Plying for hire is the sole preserve of the Taxi trade and must remain so, initiatives that seek to undermine this premise should be resisted.” Whilst readers may feel that Mr Griffin has a vested interest in saying this, he is a well known “face” within the ph industry and surely the PCO should listen to his viewpoint as well as the cab trade’s view.

The marshalled scheme in Whitcomb Street is being heralded as popular with passengers.  The minicabs still gather at the bus bay in Whitcomb Street from Thursdays through to Saturdays between 21.00 and 04.00. The travelling public are not interested in trade politics, be it cab trade or minicab trade, they just want to get home at night. Few will understand why this is such a big issue. That is until someone runs into problems with an insurance claim when they use a vehicle that may be licensed but that is carrying someone who has been touted by a minicab driver. Whilst the respectable part of the licensed minicab trade continue to campaign against those within their own trade who do tout, the public need more awareness of the dangers they put themselves in.

ONE TOUT AND YOU’RE OUT
The letter sent out by the PCO to both cab drivers and minicab drivers with the “ONE TOUT AND YOU’RE OUT” message is viewed by the majority within the cab trade as an insult. Yet another example of the PCO trying to merge the two trades without considering the impact the letter would have. Now those in office at the PCO, right through TfL, up to the Mayor’s office at City Hall must be aware of the strength of feeling in the cab trade. Let’s hope some action follows, but in the opinion of our editorial team here at TaxiCab News, don’t hold your breath while you wait.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
After the demo, Steve McNamara from the LTDA, told TaxiCab News: “Thursday’s ‘Enough is Enough’ protest by an estimated 8,000 taxis was the largest demonstration ever held by the London taxi trade and possibly by taxi drivers anywhere in the world. If anyone at the Public Carriage Office still fails to realise the resentment caused by their letter threatening taxi drivers with ‘ONE STRIKE AND YOU’RE OUT’ when the Mayor clearly intended his policy to be aimed at minicab drivers, they are living in a cave. This blatant corruption of the Mayor’s intentions, along with the PCO’s casual attitude to the licensing and enforcement of the Private Hire legislation, has united our industry like never before and forced us into taking militant action to defend our livelihoods. I hope that our grievances and concerns will now be constructively addressed before we are compelled into taking further and more militant actions.” 

Martin Low, Director of Transportation at Westminster Council, has told taxi drivers : “We would welcome ideas from black cab drivers on how to increase their availability in the West End, particularly in the early hours of the morning when the clubs close.” (You might want to contact him at Westminster City Council, 64 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6P). Ed Thomspon, Director of Taxi & Private Hire at the PCO, said: “Thursday’s taxi protest caused serious disruption in central London, inconveniencing thousands of Londoners just trying to go about their business.  The protest is based on mis-information being given out by certain trade bodies, who have refused to meet with the Public Carriage Office (PCO).  Whitcomb Street is not a private hire rank – we have not and we will not introduce private hire ranks in London.  Private hire vehicles must always be booked through a licensed operator.

“It would have been so much more helpful to have spent Thursday afternoon discussing the issues facing the taxi trade and trying to come up with positive ways to help taxi drivers deal with the economic downturn.  Our door remains open and we are, as ever, ready to talk any issues through.”

Let TaxiCab News know your thoughts and feelings on the demo and the issues surrounding it. Should our trade hold more demos? Or should discussions take place with Martin Low and the PCO?

The message was clear on Thursday February 5th, 8000 drivers spoke clearly to the PCO and Westminster City Council. More demos are planned if they do not listen.

The United trade demo in Trafalgar Square on 5th Feb 2009 was declared a huge success by all concerned. Vast areas of central London became a car park with virtually nothing moving on more than 2 wheels. Sources have indicated that over 8,000 cabs took part. The largest demo by the taxi trade in London ever. London’s hackney drivers must be commended for this show of the depth of feeling about the issues regarding illegal PH ranks and the closely related Clip Board Johnnie activities.

It was also the first public appearance of the newly formed RMT Taxis London Branch. Judging by the comments from the trade received by our marshals it is something many drivers have been waiting for. Although some so called faces in the trade will raise the old lament that the last thing the trade needs now, is yet another organisation splitting the trade up even more, the facts show a different picture. Only around a third of the trade belong to any trade organisation. That’s not to discredit those organisations but to point out that there is more than enough room for another and the feed back we got at Trafalgar Square showed that we are right.

However, Thursday was not the end of the fight and further actions will be needed to keep the issue on the table until Westminster Council, The PCO and anyone else who thinks they can just ignore the laws of the land when it suits them realise that they cannot.  Picketing the illegal rank in Whitcombe Street is one option to be considered. This will need further shows of support from the trade, but following Thursday’s magnificent turnout who can doubt that this support will be forthcoming.  

The RMT prides itself on been a genuine member lead Union fighting for the rights and working conditions of its members and the London Taxi Branch will follow in those footsteps. We will seek to work with the other trade organisations for the good of the trade as our members see fit, but it will be what the members decide within the democratic processes of the Union. If you want a genuine say in your trade’s future join us. The RMT is committed to fully backing the London Taxi Trade, defending their members working conditions and standard of life.

The RMT is Britain’s largest specialist transport union and fully supports the fight by the men and women in the taxi trade in their endeavours to put an end to the unfair and ostensibly illegal practices condoned by the PCO and their cohorts. Fight back with the strength of the RMT behind you!

For more information on the RMT call Dave Vidgen 07933 797 309 or RMT Regional Organiser Brian Whitehead 07917 327 321.

 by Eddie Lambert