Mass strike held by Bedford minicab drivers

Bedford Borough Hall

HUNDREDS of minicab drivers went on strike on Saturday night over the ‘harsh actions’ they claim the council has been taking against them.

Around 300 drivers from the Bedford Private Hire Association parked at Borough Hall on Cauldwell Street, in Bedford, from 10pm until 4am resulting in disruption in the town centre.

Members of the association believe drivers have been unfairly treated by the council and they are threatening further peaceful strikes if they are not listened to.

Balal Shah, the former vice chairman of Bedford Private Hire Association, said: “We’re striking because of the harsh actions they are taking against drivers. The council is refusing to listen to us and if we are not listened to this is going to carry on.”

The conditions demanded by the association include an independent panel to sit in on the council’s licensing sub committee, a review of new vehicle testing conditions and a separate budget from the Hackney Carriage drivers.

A statement released by the Private Hire Association read: “It is unfortunate that not a single member from the council came down to the Borough Hall to discuss the reasons behind the strike, many council officers were aware of the possibility of a strike taking place this weekend, but obviously this was an idle threat by the trade.

“The police did attend to assist with parking so that any inconvenience that was caused to the general public was kept to a minimum.

“We would like apologise to the public for any inconvenience and disruption caused due to the strike taking place. We decided to hold the strike this week rather than at the end of the month as this would have caused too much disruption to the public.

“This is the first strike action by the trade, if we are not listened to then the strike action will continue and the next strike will be held during the week for a full 24 hour period.”

source: http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/

Surprise minicab strike

Minicab drivers went on strike on Saturday night over a long running row with council licensing officers.

The majority of Bedford’s Private Hire Drivers took a last minute decision to walk out after several days of discussions within the trade. A peaceful protest was also held outside Borough Hall.

Speaking on behalf of the rest of the drivers Balal Shah, said: “It is unfortunate that not a single member from the council came down to the Borough Hall to discuss the reasons behind the strike, many council officers were aware of the possibility of a strike taking place this weekend, but obviously this was an idle threat by the trade.

“The police did attend to assist with parking so that any inconvenience that was caused to the general public was kept to a minimum.”

Below are the reasons that the drivers have given for their strike on Saturday.

Conditions for strike:

1. Review of the character and conviction policy. Reinstate the previous convictions policy.

2. An independent panel to sit at the sub committee hearing and not the councillors or licensing officers, because we believe they are prejudice against the drivers.

3. A separate budget from the Hackney Carriage. We provide a much larger contribution to the council compared to the Hackney Carriage and receive nothing in return.

4. Provide operators with the council compliance officers full remit of what powers they hold.

5. Review of the new vehicle testing conditions.

Mr Shah added: “We would like apologise to the public for any inconvenience and disruption caused due to the strike taking place.

“We decided to hold the strike this week rather than at the end of the month as this would have caused too much disruption to the public. This is the first strike action by the trade, if we are not listened to then the strike action will continue and the next strike will be held during the week for a full 24 hour period.”

source: http://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/