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Cabbies’ 24-hour strike


TAXI drivers in Southend will block all cab ranks for 24-hour as part of strike over council conditions.

The furious cabbies want to cut the amount of licences issued by the council in a bid to safeguard their futures.

Almost 200 packed into Southend Rugby Club for the annual meeting of the Southend Licensed Taxi Drivers Association where members joined forces with Hackney carriage and private hire cars and voted to take on the council.

Paul Sutton, chairman of the association, said industrial action would be held on a busy Saturday.

He said: “We’re going to ask drivers to stop at noon on a Saturday and just sit in the ranks, to start 24 hours of no service.”

He said neighbouring taxi companies in Castle Point and Basildon, had assured them they would not send any cars into the town during the protest.

At the meeting on Tuesday night, the drivers voted unanimously to try to stop Southend Council increasing the number of new permits it grants each year – set to rise from 14 to 16 in 2010.

They also voted to try to get the council to consult taxi drivers on any policy that will affect their trade.

Secretary of the taxi drivers association, Dave Clift, said: “If push comes to shove we will take industrial action. We must stick together.”

To cheers from members, Mr Clift also announced that if the issues are not resolved by January 1 the taxi drivers are going to start their own political party and run for election in Southend.

He said: “I don’t want to run a council, I just want us to have a fair crack at the whip.

“We have already got people prepared to stand in every ward. We’re annoyed at politicians destroying Southend. I’ve earned my living in Southend, I’ve spent my money in Southend and now its not a very nice place to live.”

Southend West Tory MP David Amess also attended the meeting and said: “At the moment there are only 69 taxi rank spaces in major ranks in Southend town centre.

“This makes it difficult to make a living as well as damaging the environment by leaving them driving around trying to find a space.”

Methinks this TORY shower will "reap what they sowed" GOOD!!


Fab to see Taxi Drivers prepared to battle councils such as this shower, met them Once they Loved it!!

Unite comedian says "I dont believe in confrontation"

I say
"well I effing do! youd better grovell down the other end of the table mush" then give council lecture on illegall proposals, promise 20000 drunks on Street, suggest regular meetings and withdrawal of illegall proposals, They agree saivg ALL Drivers bundles. It took about 5 minutes CONFRONTATION!!!

Is there a lesson there?????????????????????????