Cabbies in action

The NSW State Government has introduced a "no destination" 
rule which means that cabbies are not given the passenger 
destination at the time they accept a booking. The aim of this 
was to prevent cabbies "cherry-picking" the higher paying fares 
and leaving other passengers without a ride. Drivers have reacted 
strongly to the new rule, taking industrial action last month. 
They say it prevents them from organising most aspects of their 
work. Ronald Barrett, a Sydney taxi driver, reports on the action 
and concerns of taxi drivers:

There were not many taxis on the roads of Sydney on Tuesday June 
22, as drivers went on strike to protest against the "no 
destinations on jobs" and against "no stopping" fines in Sydney 
Central Business District.

The New South Wales Taxi Council, representing the big networks, 
said few drivers went on strike. But I got a different impression 
by watching the Mt Druitt rank where only a few cabs worked. It 
was to be expected that there would not be a 100 percent response 
to the strike but I am certain that most drivers did stop work.

My boss told me he could not afford to lose the day. I tried to 
explain to him that no worker could ever afford to strike. But as 
withdrawal of labour is the only weapon a worker has to fight 
with, sometimes there is no alternative.

Cabbies certainly have plenty to gripe about. Drivers are deemed 
to be self-employed, so on the road, you are on your own. A 
driver can be fined for stopping in a no standing or no stopping 
zone. A fine can mean a driver losing a whole day's pay.

Wages are a particular bone of contention. A day driver must take 
at least $130 before making a cent for him or herself. This 
includes $100 to the boss, at least $20 for gas, plus GST tax of 
at least $7.00 or more on top of that. It is not unusual for a 
driver to go home with less than nothing after a 12-hour shift.

There is also the unscrupulous passenger that runs off without 
paying the fare. I know of a driver who was jailed for three 
months for attempting to get a fare from a runner. Another driver 
was charged with murder after it was alleged that he ran down a 
fare evader. He was acquitted, but should not have been charged 
in the first place. A taxi council spokesman said that we should 
not condone drivers assaulting passengers, but it seems the other 
way round is OK.

It must be said that taxi driving is not all bad. It can be very 
satisfying helping old people and disabled people. I often count 
my blessings when I pick up disabled people who are much younger 
than I am. Most passengers are friendly and co-operative.

The bureaucrats only hear the petty complaints that are often 
groundless.