Union taxi drivers plan anti-Uber demonstration on Strip
Source: Review Journal
By RICHARD N. VELOTTA
Union taxi drivers for Yellow Checker Star plan a demonstration that could block traffic on Las Vegas Boulevard this afternoon as the weekend arrives and temperatures rise.
Drivers represented by the Industrial, Technical and Professional Employees Union Local 4873 say they will protest the Nevada Legislatures approval of the regulation of transportation network companies, including Uber.
The work stoppage is planned for 2-5 p.m.
The chief of enforcement for the Nevada Taxicab Authority said theres not a lot the regulatory body can do if a protest occurs.
FULL story at link.
Sean Morland, center and and Randy Allison, right, both drivers for Yellow Checker Star, rally outside Grant Sawyer Building Monday, March 30, 2015, in Las Vegas. Dozens of Southern Nevada taxi drivers and supporters rallied to protest a proposed legislation that would enable transportation network companies, such as Uber, to operate legally in the state of Nevada. (Ronda Churchill/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Read more: http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/traffic-transportation/union-taxi-drivers-plan-anti-uber-demonstration-strip
It was the unions in LAS VEGAS that got Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid re-elected in 2010!
Travis_0004
(5,417 posts)People need to realize that Uber is here to stay. I think taxi companies need to clean up their image and get rid of their rude drivers.
That said, I think the playing field needs to be level. Uber drivers should be required to have commercial insurance and pass a vehicle inspection if the same is required of taxi vehicles.
Omaha Steve
(99,073 posts)Items like Background checks: No felons, domestic violence, etc
Fingerprinting.
Driving record requirements: no more than x number of accidents in a time frame, no DUI, etc.
I know because I issued them for the Omaha Police Dept. before I retired.
Several months ago there was an article about an Omaha Uber driver at fault in the accident with an injured rider that had no insurance.
OS
bluestateguy
(44,173 posts)Then you won't have to worry about Uber.
FrodosPet
(5,169 posts)Brakes cost money. Tires cost money. The inevitable repairs that come from putting 4 to 5 times as many miles as you normally do costs money. Uber is not paying people enough to maintain their cars, put aside money for the next car they will need after their current one is worn down to a deathtrap, and STILL have something left over to make it worth their time.
Can't speak for every area or every company, but here in Michigan, commercial passenger vehicles need to have a yearly safety inspection. There should be mandatory inspections for ALL vehicles who transport people for hire.
And so, as time goes on, more and more Uber drivers are either giving up or only running prime time when they can catch surge pricing.
BTW... don't forget to be super nice and tip your Uber driver cash if you don't want to end up blacklisted for having a low review score!
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/05/07/many-passengers-unaware-of-uber-blacklist/
Turns out just like you can rate the drivers they are rating the passengers too. And that number can make the difference between a quick pick-up or being blacklisted.
Thats because if your Uber rating drops too low a driver might decide to ride right past you or you could get bounced from the Uber system completely.
That almost happened to Emily Tarran. When she found herself waiting longer than usual for her daily 3 a.m. Uber pick-up to get to work she starting asking questions.
~ snip ~
MichMan
(11,790 posts)Don't understand the utter lack of support for union taxi drivers here of all places??? "Clean up your image! lower your fares!"
Didn't think DU would be in favor of a non regulated outfit like Uber using non union drivers with poor benefits. smh
christx30
(6,241 posts)I was trying to get home from work. It was midnight and cold, like in the low 30's. I called a cab, and waited. Two hours go by, and no cab. I kept calling, and no one could be bothered to come get me. I wish I could have had access to something like Uber. I ended up walking 9 miles home after 3 hours of waiting.
But they felt no need to hurry or get out to me because they had no competition. Poor service, high fares. I support Uber.
Omaha Steve
(99,073 posts)Omaha doesn't have any.
MichMan
(11,790 posts)Stated so right at the beginning of the OP they are union
Omaha Steve
(99,073 posts)It doesn't say what town, company, etc
And welcome to DU.
christx30
(6,241 posts)Our taxi drivers unionized 2 years ago:
http://www.texasobserver.org/austin-taxi-drivers-unionize-to-get-their-fare-share/
I called them like 12 times in 3 hours to find out where the taxi was. My hands were wet and I couldn't feel my feet. My cell died as I was trying to offer a friend of mine $20 to come get me. Walked 9 miles home at about 33 degrees and rain/sleet.
So those guys can pretty much burn. I'll never use another taxi again.
Omaha Steve
(99,073 posts)I get your point. It isn't the drivers association's fault.
I'm not taking a swing at you, just pointing out it wasn't the drivers fault.
http://austintaxidriver.org/
http://austintaxidriver.org/2014/06/uber-and-the-failing-taxi-system/
Uber and the Failing Taxi System
06/13/2014
Maurice Jourdane
Huffington Post
During the past few days, the world has seen taxi drivers demonstrate against Uber, an online service that links passengers with private car owners rather than traditional taxi companies. Through Uber, with a smartphone a passenger can contact the nearest available vehicle in the area, obtain a ride and pay by phone. Licensed cab drivers say Ubers smartphone app is pushing them out of business. If they are to confront Uber, cities must decide whether to preserve their traditional taxi systems.
In San Diego, like Los Angeles and most cities in the United States, taxi drivers do not own the vehicles they drive; almost all lease a cab from the holder of the medallion, the city permit to operate a taxi. Driving a cab is dangerous and very low paying work. A recent survey conducted by San Diego State University Center for Policy Initiatives found that taxi drivers in San Diego toil under nearly serf-like conditions where workers are obliged to perform dangerous work for long hours with low pay under an ever-present threat of being blackballed should they dare to complain. Because cab drivers are mostly immigrants who cannot find other work, they put up with the unsafe conditions, long hours and low pay.
Drivers fear retaliation if they report any dangerous or unfair practice. While dangerous and unfair practices could be monitored and sanctioned by a regulatory agency, the practices happen daily without any government awareness because drivers fear job loss if they report the practices; they choose to remain silent when taxi owners cut corners fearing blacklisting or increased weekly lease rates. San Diego taxi driver Mikaiil Haji Hussein raised concern over vehicle safety and the fairness of leasing practices. He was fired and blacklisted from the taxi industry after voicing these concerns in a City Council meeting.
FULL story at link.
Codeine
(25,586 posts)Anything that smacks of a service industry or blue-collar labor often gets short shrift among our posters.
shaayecanaan
(6,068 posts)There aren't very many working class people here. Who cares if Uber screws their drivers? What about me getting home on time?
And they do screw their drivers. Hard.
http://citypaper.net/uberdriver/
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)it's been a major issue in NYC, where the medallion owners have been trying to use the government to protect their racket.
MichMan
(11,790 posts)Sounds like a great company. Want to be a Uber driver for low pay and benefits? Don't have a vehicle? Come and see the helpful people at Uber and all your problems are solved.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026744841
trumad
(41,692 posts)Doesn't mean we can't criticize companies that are Union.
Fact of the matter is Taxi companies need to change or companies like Uber will put them out of business. Uber may be shit in many ways and I do believe they need to be regulated. ...but the experience of using Uber is far better and easier than taking a Cab
pangaia
(24,324 posts)Lucky Luciano
(11,242 posts)Nobody goes to a website.
I don't use uber because it is easy to hail a cab in NYC - or I even drive my car sometimes on the weekend if I know I can park easily where I am going...or tge subway stop is a block from my apartment too.
I would use uber if I didn't have the subway so close or s can was hard to get.
pangaia
(24,324 posts)Only had a smart phone for about 3 weeks. Don't even recognize the phone ring tone yet..
trumad
(41,692 posts)Works awesome.
FrodosPet
(5,169 posts)Remember, be nice, not a hassle. Make sure you are ready to roll right when you arrive. And avoid going places that make the Uber driver uncomfortable, lest you end up with a bad score and cannot find a driver to pick you up.
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/05/07/many-passengers-unaware-of-uber-blacklist/
trumad
(41,692 posts)Big SUV's---don't have to.
mopinko
(69,806 posts)and yeah, their drivers should have to have a cdl, background checks, safety inspections and real insurance.
do they even tell their drivers that their regular car insurance wont cover an accident?
daleanime
(17,796 posts)Sgt Preston
(133 posts)It attacks and alienates working people--the very people you need to support your cause.
Xithras
(16,191 posts)The problem with cab companies is that so many are still stuck in the last century. In my city, the cabbies bitched like hell when Lyft and Uber moved in, but only one jumped onto the Flywheel bandwagon when it became available (Flywheel, for those who don't know, is an Uber-type smartphone app that gets you an actual taxi). That company gets tons of business. Its competitors, which expect you to actually CALL them (eh...no), are still whining as they circle the drain.
My process is simple. Open Flywheel and hail a cab. If the wait time is 30 minutes or less, I'll use them. If I have to wait longer than that, I'll open Uber and see if they have a faster option available. If I have to wait more than half an hour for a cab, they're too busy for my business anyway.
Starry Messenger
(32,342 posts)Once they drive all of cabs out of business, they can really get down the business of gouging like hell.