Taxis stage wildcat strike at Manchester Airport
05.09.08
Black cab drivers staged a wildcat strike today at Manchester Airport in protest at rising fees. The drivers were protesting increases in fees charged to access the terminals, which could mean they have to pay up to £3000 annually instead of £270 currently.
Around 400 drivers blockaded a feeder car park for six hours beginning at 11:00, refusing to pick up any passengers. They used to pay a flat fee of £270, but under the new system ,they will have to pay £1.60 per terminal visit.
The airport is using 60p of each £1.60 to pay for 16 taxi marshals who communicate between the terminals and the taxi headquarters in the feeder park about how many taxis are needed. But the drivers say the marshals often leave their posts unattended. When that happened yesterday morning, they decided on the impromptu walk-out, which lasted six hours.
An airport spokesman said they were ‘working closely with representatives of the Hackney Cab Committee to better understand the issue and are confident it will be resolved to everyone’s satisfaction in the very near future.’
Members of the Hackney Cab Committee and Taxi Drivers' Owners Association held a 'constructive' meeting with airport bosses, Unite union officials, council licensing officers and councillors late this afternoon. They agreed to temporarily call off the strike, with further talks scheduled for Monday.
The Hackney Cab Committee has approached the licensing committee, which sets fares, to ask permission to pass the charges on to customers. It has so far only allowed a 40p increase in fares, although will reconsider the issue later this month.
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