Looks like we’ll be Sriking on St. Patricks Day!
Roy March 11th, 2010
I gather from the latest press release from the Irish Taxi Council that Taxis will be on strike from St. Patrick’s Day on……
As the Cabinet are all away on Trade missions for the St. Patrick’s day festivals around the world, there will be no resolution before the 7 day notice and therefore we will be “All Out” (AS IF!) on St. Patrick’s day, the following Rugby international weekend…….and beyond that ……………………………..possibly forever!
A return to Strumpet City? Talk about Turkeys voting for Christmas!
Here’s a copy of the Press release:
The Irish Taxi Council notes the the regulators response (taxiregulator.ie) to the recent protest held at its offices at Fitzwilliam sq over the last 2 days. In relation to legal action taken by the regulator, this is the limited response we can give. The ITC have now been told that no member of the organisation can be found within 30 yards of the regulators office, so anyone in Dublin taking a taxi to the vicinity of those offices better be sure that their driver is not an ITC member or supporter!
We wish to state clearly that the ITC will do its utmost, legally and morally, to vindicate any percieved wrongdoing by its four members concerned.
In the mean time the ITC has advised the Minister of Transport of the mandate recieved today from representatives nationwide and full time taxi drivers in Ireland, at a mass meeting in Swords Co Dublin to state the following demand:
That full time taxi drivers of Ireland demand that the 11 point plan of the Oireachtas joint transport committee, a duly elected body of the citizens of Ireland, be implemented in full within the next seven (7) days. Otherwise our mandate states we are to organise nationwide protest and disruption within the taxi industry for such a time until the demands of our members and all full time taxi drivers are met.
If the Minister does not wish to engage then the Taoiseasch should intervene and sort this mess out.
Spokesperson for the ITC, Frank Byrne, says “we would like to thank everyone who gave their support to the lads over the last few days. The public should be warned, this action will get far more serious very quickly if our issues are not addressed”.
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- Comments(95)
It doesn’t say Paddy’s Day in that release. I hope they will see sense and hold off till the 18th.
Nice to finish off a letter with a threat to the public…i.e. our customers!! If we put as much energy into thinking how we cud incourage people to use taxis more rather than focussin on decreasing competition we’d be a lot better off a lot sooner.
Plus how can something be “implemented in full” withing seven days (or 3 working days), given that it requires changes to legislation and so on…!!!??? Completely unrealistic…why not just stick to securing a meeting as the demand.
And given the 11 point plan is out of date….
Saint Patrick’s day, the most important national holiday in this country and for Irish people all over the world.
AS AN IRISHMAN I WILL NOT TAKE PART IN ANY DISRUPTIVE PROTEST ON SAINT PATRICK’S DAY.
The ITC need to clarify this issue a.s.a.p.
Don’t be causing panic Roy 11+7 = 18
Who Put These Guys In Charge Do They Not Realise They Have Now Messed Up Any Chance Of Being Taken Seriously What Hve They Achived Over The Last Few Days Nothing To The Benfit Of Full Time Taxi Drivers They Have Ended Up In The High Court Which Could End Up Costing A Fortune The Have Brought Unwanted Attention From The GARDI As Now They Will Hound Drivers More While They Are Trying To Get On A Ranks The Media Have Reported That The Gaurds Are Looking In The Events Of The Last Few Days Which Might Lead To Prosuctions The Public Being Threatened Is The Straw That Will Break This Camels Back
As They Will Not Use Our Services A Lot Of Thinking Needs To Be Done Before This Or Any Other Strike Takes Place There Are To Many People Claim To Represent Us Now Maybe If They All Got Together With A Proper Mandate And Listen Instead Of Shouting Maybe We Will Get Somewere
Taxidad,
The Fitzwilliam Square sit in served to highlight our plight and publicise the meeting yeterday.
With 1,000 men in attendance this represents our best opportunity to achieve unity.
@IWFTSTS
The only “official I could get to speak to yesterday, Bren(Frank Byrne was on full EGO trip), said the notice would be served today, seven days from today is St Patricks Day, that’s the way the media read it (George Hook etc ) yesterday, they announced Taxi drivers will be on strike from St Patricks day……..regardless……… striking for an international Rugby weekend is as bad …..most strikes are one day or maybe 24 hours but those muppets decided to strike ’till the death……..are you happy to lose your home/car/ect. on the say so of a bunch of militants
@Stephen , unity me hole, this strike, it’s timing and the usual no exit strategy is probably the most devisive thing to hit the Taxi industry EVER!
so shall you sow so shall you reap.
It has to come to a head sometime. This may as well be it. No one is listening, we are the shit on their shoes. With regard to public opinion, we’re in this alone, they don’t understand our business, and a signiifcant number of them are public servants, who themselves are taking industrial action when they’re not driving taxis. The pensioners, I believe will understand us as we have always enjoyed a good relationship with them. The only ones who will “hate, us a little bit more” are the Saturday night drunks, many of whom want a free service anyway, and private enterprise. What do you suggest Roy, talk forever while they are not listening, and obtaining bank interest on the €23 million that we have paid into their Kitty (sic)? Are you happy with “progress to date”. Are you happy that this €23mill is going to be diverted for more cycle lanes, rather than being used to improve the industry for the service providers and the clients. What’s your plan Roy?
Roy,
Pehaps I’m guilty of wishful thinking but as IES says the thing has to come to a head.
IWS,
Do you think our representatives understand our business (serious question)?
@IWFTSTS,……. My plan…I’d strike every Saturday , or Monday one week Tuesday the next etc, give us a chance to earn a bleeding living! This all out till the death crap will not be supported by the majority of Taxi drivers (they cannot afford to) whereas most of us should take one day a week off……………. just make it the same day! that way we can at least keep the wolf from the door, those that lead us don’t have a single brain cell between them , out till the death ……only problem is it’s true, do you think this is helping those drivers that are on the breadline,,,,,,,,my hole it is
this is to mister no all who was’nt at the meeting
and who is at the job a wet day because he’s to busy with his full time job
and if you were at the meeting you would have had a chance to vote which the drivers who care did vote. and it was the drivers who gave the minster 7days. now if I was the minster id better deal with it in stead of eating ice creams in tenerife.
and by looking at your picture your house dosent need a guard dog.
its your in….. or your out and if your out you clearly dont need to strike because of course
your making 600yoyos at weekends like all the other new muppets at the game who
ring 104 and talk shite.
roy
I cant help feeling that you are the greatest anti/taximan of them all. Even you well know that its the 18th at 12.00 why can you not learn that if you were to come out one day a week, it would get 1000 the first day 500 the second day and so on just like the TDFC marches at least this way we can take the pain in one go, or join you in saying you were right to stay at home. It has always been said that only a pig in pain will hide its head in the ground.
John boy
@Johnboy, First time I’ve been called the greatest anything , thanks…..However I’m just a Taxi driver expressing an opinion, just happens it doesn’t agree with yours…. in your opinion this makes me anti Taxi drivers, in mine it makes me anti a very small portion of militants…….do you seriously believe the government will cave? if they don’t ………then what? how long can you survive without a wage? a week? two? a month? the only ones left standing will be the double jobbers ………we’re playing right into their hands, wake up and open your eyes, all out strike till the death is complete madness
Rep bodies, they must understand the nuts and bolts of it, they’re in it long enough. With regard to acting in our interest, they are all compromised by conflict of interest to a greater or lesser degree, whether it be a need for as many members as possible, therefore the more taxis the better, or their investments in despatch companies tying them to corporate clients, and the rental income that they get from cars and radios, or their links to the trade union movement who survive on subscriptions from public servants, many of whom are also driving taxis. They stand with an aloof attitude to this particular dispute, as they just can’t stomach their thunder appearing to be stolen by unpaid amateurs with no serious ulterior motive, instead of actively engaging with anyone who is prepared to stand up and be counted on behalf of drivers. The direction of ITC may appear to be “knee jerk” and no doubt a significantly better ongoing industry strategy could be planned if people were not compromised by conflict of interest, and would leave their egos at the door, and not run away every time someone at the table disagreed with them on particular strategy. I don’t know Frank Byrne personally, but he is the only rep still fighting with no reward, it would serve everyone better to engage with him to finally achieve a unified front, now that he appears to have hold of a significant portion of the zeitgeist. Help him, show him where he is going wrong if there is a better way, but FFS act at all times to improve things for full time drivers and forget about egos and vested interests. Roy, yours is a very good plan, if coordinated as above. Got a pick up at 6.30, must eat first.
Problem with ITC is that it is influenced by the militant faction, those that want to break the law, blockade the port , burn down houses, bring the country to a standstill, destroy scab cars……..we all know were all that crap ends!
IWS,
Someone asked me two questions yesterday:
1) Do you want the protest to succeed.
The answer was obvious, Yes.
Ok, your wish is granted.
2) Do you believe Frank Byrne, Tommy Barton and Andy McMahon are capable of negotiating on your behalf into the future?
Much more thought provoking…
withdraw service from airport mr o’ leary will do the rest for us
airport and train stations thats all we need to do let the rest of them work away
Roy,
You say you couldn’t get to speak with Frank becase he was on “full EGO trip”.
Be fair, he was doing the PROs job as well as his own….
so Roy is it fair to say you wont be strikeing ? As for Frank Byrne on an ego trip i think thats a bit unfair .
No matter who trys to lead or do anything in this business ,they get a hammering and are called every name under the sun .
Im wasnt too crazy on the nut jobs yesterday ,but we have to stick together ,otherwise whats the alternative ?
maybe the “ego’comment was unfair and I withdraw it, if it’s a withdrawal of service I’ll do my bit on the pickets, if it’s illegal activity : blockades, etc I’ll stay at home, either way I’ll voice my opinion here. as can you
I think a child playing with a loaded gun would be far safer than the present scenario we`re faced with.
We cannot afford to withdraw our services, and I for one am not going to stand by and watch the ‘new Irish’ and the double jobbers drive past me with fares on board. I am not prepared to do that… why’ because our problem is not the public or our families but Kathleen Doyle we should be lobbying our local politicians with emails, phone calls, and letters (there the things that you put in a envelope and have to lick a stamp and post) get two or three drivers in every county in every village throughout the country to walk up an down outside EVERY DAY their local FF and green party offices calling for her dismissel or resignation on the grounds of incompetence, and you should also ask your tree hugging ‘green party TD’ why was it that they where so concerned with the damage to the enviornment that light bulbs had that they had them banned and yet where willing to stand by and watch taxi after taxi drive up and down their street 24/7 and didn’t give a shit.
@Stephen
Our Plight Wasnt Highlighted Last Monday Its Been Well Known For Nearly 2 Years The State Of The Taxi Industry.
1000 Drivers Out Of 27000 With The Vote Being To Close To Call Then Decisions Being Made When Drivers Left The Room I Dont See This As Resounding Sucsess There Is An Agenda Here This Strike Had Been Rumored For Weeks It Had Been Mentioned On The Fourm
@Roy
I Think Your Comments Have Been Spot On About The Last Few Days Events
As Far As A Long Term Strike It Didnt Work When The Goverment De-Regulated It Wont Work Now
One Thing That Has Not Been Mentioned Is What Started This Off On Monday Was There A Meeting
Taxidad,
I meant highlighted in the sense of being publicised, getting media coverage, getting the message out that it’s time to stand up and be counted…
The show of hands was either too close to call or the chair wanted to ensure accuracy. The options were immediate action or serve notice…there was never any question that action is necessary…
1,000 drivers is a very strong turnout for a meeting. In fact it was the first such meeting I have attended where there was no disappointment with the numbers in attendance.
@Stephen
1000 Drivers Is A Good Turn Out It Was The Same Last Year When TDFC Were Protesting A Lot Of Drivers Including Myself Turned Out The Point Im Making Is If We Conduct Ourselves Professionally We Will Be Treated Professional Blocking Up The Place Wont Achive Anything.
As I Said In My First Reply The Public Wont Take Threats They Will Have No Sympathy For Us Not That Theres Much There Anyway The Gaurds Will Be All Over Us. Drivers Will Go To The Wall I.E. Loose Home, Cars ,Blacklisted With Any And Every Lending Instiuite What Wil That Achive
Giving 7 Days Notice When The Dail Is Breaking Up For Paddys Day Is UnRealistic And When They Get Back Easter Is On The Horizion So Theres The Next 4 to 5 Weeks Where Nothing Will Be Done
Remember The Taxi Regulator Isnt The Only Reason Were Struggling The Downturn Is Also To Blame And Theres Nothing We Can Do About That
Hi roy .for years now i have attended taxi meetings disputes , protests . with all of the problems that we faced at the particular time .and also in support for different groups such as I T D F . T D F C . AND NOW THE I T C . in those years our industry has got progressivly worse which is clear to see by all of us ,Here we are in the year 2010 still trying to get our industry totally cleaned up so that we all stand a chance of making a living and the true facts are if we dont suceed this time by 2011 most of us will be gone out of buisness .Now Roy at all of these protests mentioned above i agree you will get the odd headcase in attendance saying block dublin port . burn our cars ,ect but i really think you should address whatever your own personal agenda against the I T C or frank byrne is and sort it out .To write on your web site that the I T C is influenced by millitant faction. those who want to break the law .Burn houses down or burn scab cars as you put it is totally unjust also unfair and do you roy have the evidence to back up your statement .also your remark regarding frank on his own ego trip again totally uncalled for even though you withdrew it . I am not affilated or related in any way to the I T C OR FRANK BYRNE but it is clear to see by the majority of us that at least trying to do what our unions failed to do for us . also i and many many of my colleages resent your commentsthat if attend a I T C MEETING WE MUST BE SOME SORT OF MILLITANT HEADCASE. ROY sort out your own personal agenda and as i said in a recent reply its time to stick together or next year the majority of us will be gone . to end i say again i dont care who gets the credit if we can make our industry a better place if its the I T C . I T D F , N T D U T D F C BUT UNITED WE HAVE A CHANCE regards mick
My reason for saying ITC are influenced by militants is because every protest they have organised has descended into an illegal blockade with public and economic disruption, I have no issue with Frank Byrne, I have spoken regularly with him on the phone and do my best to highlight his policy and agenda, however I am not “owned” by him or his association and will continue to voice my opinion here……… as can you.
Frank may have a problem with that but that’s his issue
Hi Roy . again i must point out to you before there was ever a frank byrne or the I T C there were protests in the past such as wynnes hotel pre deregulation the all out strike , also the park 2006 . ect ect where streets got blocked and the public was disrupted ,where you as critical of those groups as you are of the I T C . None of us either are owned by either any union or group as self employed workers we choose either to support or not support .back in the early days there were people who go to meetings . protests with some crazy ideas of how to sort out the problems of our industrybut i still think its very unfair to highlight it as a I T C Millitants when we have always had simular problems . I support anything or any group that will do good to save our industry including the I T C But i resent being classed as a millitant as you put it . Im sure the I T C appreicate your efforts to highlight there policys but my view roy is we should be sticking together in this crisis rather than having the trigger ready to pull at any particular group or indivual .
I thought many of the strikers around the time of deregulation behaved like Neanderthals, (Charlie Bird for example?) it is up to the leadership of any organisation to stop or at least distance itself publicly from illegal behavior, by doing nothing they either condone or approve of it.
Just i n relation to contacting our TDs and walking outside their clinics .Im afraid thats been done.we did it a few yrs back outside Berties office in drumcondra ,if im not mistaken a gentleman who had taken a stroke just after de reg., went on hunger strike outside berties office ….We WERNT listen to by our TDs of even On Taoiseach….what can we do ????
@Roy what happened to Charlie Bird had nothing to do with taxi drivers,,, they was an element (not drivers) who joined in on our march and caused trouble I wont name the group ,but they are at EVERY protest ,no matter who are protesting …
Taxidad,
CTR isn’t any of the reason, Government policy is the entire reason.
1,000 was achieved by TDFC on a protest. I believe the highest attendance they achieved at a meeting was at the Transport Club and was quite a way below Wednesday’s turnout.
Drivers are already losing their cars, their homes are under threat to the extent that many (if not most) are now on Interest Only arrangements with their mortgage providers.
It’s time to say Enough is Enough.
There are steps that can and must be taken to save our industry.
Interest only arrangements only prolonge the agony, the bank will still get its pound of flesh.
The ECB is raising interest rates in the 3rd quarter of this year, the banks are raising their interest rates now.
The principal will still have to be paid, there is no NAMA for the hard pressed mortgage holder.
Government policy is to make us pay for the mistakes of the banks, all of which (retail banks) are still majority owned by shareholders.
The top man in NAMA has just been given a 70% salary increase, his 6 board members a 32% increase.
Wage increases for nama bosses .This is great news .The recession must be over and we are back to our old ways .Oh glory days are here again .
@Stephen
i agree enough is enough but the problems are not going to be sorted overnight this business will take years to sort out there is no quick fix our main problem isnt the goverment or the ctr its the fact that people our customers have no money if the arse hadnt of fallen out of the econmany and we were still making good money we wouldnt be having these protests the changes that were announced have been out there for around 3 years now we knew they were coming i know plenty of drivers who from next year are out of business unless they can change there car some of them are saying what can they do they know they wont get finance personally the big issue here is lack of proper inforcememt dublin city centre was a joke last night the amount of cars out a proper critera should be drawn up the 40 hour rule brought back no double jobbers part timers etc there are to many conflicts on interest out there at the moment cab companys,renters even the rep bodies to much hearsay its no wonder were split down the middle
@ taxi dad
Read back what you just said I believe you are a well meaning taxi driver who wants to be employed in the industry.You have suggested that the fourty hour rule should be brought back .Do you mean that you must be available to work at least 40 hours per week as a taxi driver .If you do then the regulator will have to introduce technology to confirm that you are on the job .This technology will also be able to confirm any other details from your working day A spy in the cab you might say .People who wish to bypass this system will surely find a way and honest hardworking drivers will reap no benifit from this proposal.The term double jobber is an industry term for somebody who has other employment as well as the taxi industry.This problem can be regulated by proper registry of drivers and the permanent branding of cars.Some rep bodies have voiced their objections to haveing any alteration to the roof sign this is a very clever tactic by them as the roofsign can be removed but a permenant sticker affixed to the door of the vehicle by the regulator cannot.Some of the rep bodies are very good at getting their members what their members have asked for
@John m
i dont think we would have to introduce technology as this rule was in place before but i take your point if but i agree the branding of cars. looking at the recent protests in greece the taxis looked as if they are all one colour but different makes and models roof signs are to easy to remove and can be easily duplacted
Taxidad,
To the best of my knowledge the 40 hour rule was found to be contrary to law. Even if it were introduced there would not be one less taxi just the same number working longer hours, how would this increase each drivers slice of the ever decreasing pie?
Dubby,
That was my point exactly. This is what drivers are currently forced into. Hence their homes are already under threat.
@Stephen
youve hit the nail on the head there no matter what is done it will take TIME to remove any taxis off the road
No matter what reforms are to be/have been brought in, no one in power has seen fit to talk about an acceptable ratio of cars to population, so that a service based on quality, for the customer, and for the service provider can be begun to be established. As service providers we need to have static goalposts, so that we can plan for the future. We are part of the public transport system, not “entrepreneurs”, an as such are entitled to be able to plan our investment in the industry with confidence. A basis for a ratio of cars to people MUST be established.
Okey Dokey folks you can keep your thermals on. The latest from Mr. Barton as per his announcement at the airport this evening is as follows
Thursdays all out deferred.
3 hour airport stoppage 1200hrs -1500hrs Thursday 18th March 2010
All out Monday 22nd March 2010
I believe there is also talks of blocking Dublin Port on Monday.
Now what action are the country affiliates taking to coinside with the above.
This is a joke.
I reckon we will soon be able to see who is an illegal and who is not. Because going on strike is cutting off your nose to spite your face.
Let us, for the sake of the argument, assume that there are 12000 taxis operating in Dublin.
How many are J2 students, postmen, prison guards, firemen or recent immigrants ?
And how many more are illegals ?
My hat off for Frank Byrne and the guys who are willing to sacrifice their days’ earnings (all twenty quid of it) to stop work and go on strike ! Yes, I admire TDFC and ITC but I am afraid that withholding of services is doomed.
Dublin (and other) Airport will not tolerate disruption. But anyway, last Tuesday I noticed a lot of taxis driving past the airport and picking up fares who had walked to e.g. the bus stop at ALSAA.
How many taxis operate in the Dublin area ? 12000 ?
Let us assume that there is sufficient work for maybe 7000 taxis.
At best there will be 1000 on active strike.
Maybe another 2000 will be shamed into stopping work.
That leaves us with the strike breakers, all 9000 of them !
And still a surplus of 2000 cars that are working.
I can solemny swear that I have supported the actions.
If not actively, then at least by leaving my car at home.
Last Monday I was out shopping but joined the protest on foot.
Clear where I stand so far ?
But I have to make a living.
I will have to find a replacement car next year (I still get calls from old customers, some high flying businessmen who like the excellent airco, leather upholstery and wooden dashoard in my old but very presentable ’97 car, but Kathleen says NO).
I am behind with my rent.
I will have to fork out 250 quid for the renewal of my PSV licence before the year is out.
My wife is screaming at me when I stop working.
Our savings are being used up just to keep on living.
So, next time around – or maybe at best the time after that – I may not be able to support a strike and become a despised scab myself !
We are all concerned about the number of illegals in the industry. We think (we cannot prove it) that taxis owned by multiple plate holders are being rented out to people who do not have a valid PSV licence.
There are but a handful of inspectors in the whole country. The Gardai are busy enough keeping law and order.
So why not propose:
Passing of a law that will make possible:
-Introduction of volunteer inspectors from the ranks of active taxi drivers.
-These volunteers to be vetted and trained.
-They should then be issued a badge or ID.
-They should have legal powers to inspect at random any taxi for licence, PSV licence, insurance and to ensure that the driver is legally entitled to drive a PS vehicle.
They should have power to call in the Gardai if a driver fails to meet the requirements.
If it is possible to be interrogated and held accountable by a seemingly random taxi driver, it is my guess that illegals will disappear from the streets in no time.
I cannot see any reason why LEGAL taxi drivers would, if not welcome such a move, at least be supportive !
Oh, and Roy: If you missed it. My nickname is meant to be a bit of a joke (we do not have a lot to laugh about any more). I work mainly night shifts. From 5pm. till about 10, take a break (like now) and come back out again until six or seven am.l
@lisac
your right this is a joke what has dublin airport got to do with this dispuite or is there a secret agenda here ive heard the foot soilders were out in force last dishing out their propaganda and now they postpone their all out strike even though they have given the minister 7 days notice from the 11th i dont think any goverment official will meet itc before there return to court if anyone thinks the dept of transport or ctr will respond as quick as they did in october there being mislead
@ taxidad dont even talk about the october protest. there are only 1 group of people who will be mislead and that is the dublin drivers who support this protest.
TAXIDAD, i think your being misled if you think the Dept of transport responded to the October protest. Allegedly a request from AN other to engage with those on the street was made in an attempt to save face for the illustrious one.
@john keane
if i remember correctly there was a meeting on the friday morning with itc and the dept of transport which led to both parties heading to no35 to get a letter from the regulator which ended that strike i would call that a response
@ taxi dad yep that was what we were all told. shame the contents of the letter as opposed to what certain individuals wanted to be the contents of the letter weren’t read out.
oh and before stephen jumps in to score points. i am not a taxi driver and John Keane is my other half
@lisa c
as i said in my eariler post what was the reason behind the sit in.
the itc cant have it all there way they cant expect people to go on strike over issues that were meant to have been sorted out its just a total farce if these guys are so unhappy in the business then leave
Taxidad,
There was a meeting with DOT which resulted in documents being issued by both DoT and CTR. What was read out was an accurate reflection of the contents.
Legislation has since been brought forward to facilitate more comprehensive data exchange between CTR and Revenue.
@Stephen
why was the letter not copied and handed out or even a scan put up on their website and as i have said what has changed what brought about mondays action why now are we being told to support a strike that people dont want to and cannot afford to take part in the demands are unrealistic and there is no quick fix to this problems in the industry it will take TIME
@ taxidad. after john jeane and i met with ITC representatives to view the letter the notes fro DOA and discuss what could be salvaged from the disaster that was the october protest it went on a trip down the country and has not resurfaced to date to my knowledge. unfortunatley like a lot of other converstions the itc representatives that we met with now have no recollection of that meeting.
Taxidad,
You’re dragging up old rows now. At the end of the protest ITCs PRO, Andy McMahon, had the documents available for anyone to read. I enquired whether they would be posted on the internet to which he responded that they would be within a very short period. As I was tired I didn’t bother reading them, they never appeared on the internet although NTDU did publish their copy of the letter from CTR.
Lisa, Frank had the documents in his possession a couple of weks after the protest, at a meeting he had with Tommy Broughan and others in the Mansion House.
em did you see them??
@Stephen
im not trying to drag up old rows im looking for information which the ITC dont want to share
care to answer that one stephen
I know you weren’t doing so intentionally Taxidad, I hope my response was sufficiently informative.
Lisa, I can’t recall whether I saw them or not. I wasn’t particularly interested as I’d already read NTDUs copy of the CTR letter. I do recall Frank offering to show them to someone else though.
he hadnt got them to show them stephen. they were in cork. when they were next asked for they were in galway
Why would Frank offer to show someone something he didn’t have…makes no sense.
if they were so good they would have been scanned and given to roy to put up on the blog. get real man when have you ever seen frank miss a self publicity oppurtunity. he hadn’t got what he said he had so he couldn’t show it. if he gets anything this time do yourself a favour and make sure you get a copy of it
I assume ITC will have learnt from previous errors.
As we’re in lent, how many times was it that Jesus dropped the Cross?
bad analogy Stephen and possibly offensive to some. But I will go along with you and ask for how much longer will you continue to be ITCs Simon of Cyrene.
Oh Lisa
SIMON OF CYREAN you are obviously a convent educated girl .I have listened to the little comotion that has been caused by your taxi strike and all I can assume is that whoever gets to talk to the minister first wins a prize.
I shall away now and pick some shamrock
Dymphna
Oh Dymphna as usual your pearls of wisdom fall before swine.
As long as they are trying to improve the lot of the full time taxi driver (me). To be fair they’ve come a long way by adopting the OJTC recommendations over that “Change for the better” tripe.
Troops
Here we go again little girls & boys i missed the agro its a good job Frank and the boys got you all back on track as you seem to think that we full time taxi drivers have no mind of our own and will be led by the hate or ego you have for each other, I have always said if you could unite both and fight the real jackass for once and stop taking lumps out of each other we might move forward a little, i will not take sides on this one as the pain might be to hard to take after a €4.45 fare.
john boy
Troops
Meeting of Advisory Council.
An emergancy meeting of the above has been called for this afternoon,
More info please ????
john boy
Hopefully the JTC will issue a statement on their site but somehow I doubt it, they like to keep us guessing
stephen you will buckle under the weight of the cross and there will be nobody to help you.
Dear all
My nephew Giddion has just arrived to stay with me for the Saint Patrick festivities.I was agast as I discovered that he had tatooed his arm a permanent scar .I just thought of the scar you intend to impose on your industry by striking against the very people who pay your wages .I as you know use taxies as my primary mode of transport as I do not drive and Ambrose is oversees.How will your dispute with that loathsome man Noel Dempsey be advanced by withdrawing my transport of choice .I feel I must say that my admiration for the work and service you provide is waining .If one of your organisations think that by hurting your customer you can advance your cause I would seriously think do these people deserve your support.
I shall away now and clean up my old bicycle from the garden shed
Dymphna
PS young Giddion has offered to clean the bike such a nice boy .
PPS Oh that damned tattoo
Howaa ROYSER
What happened to the night out I wanted to have a word with one of the lads .i look forward to socialising with the boys .Get it togeather man and lets party .
Dommo
Dommo the social gathering wes cancelled while we await the outcome of the protest action .We cant spend money we dont have the next day will probably be a tuesday first one of the month borrow a few quid out of the childrens allowance and pay it back if and when you can .Are you bringing anybody with you ?
yeah you and dymphna. it’ll be a cheap round
@ lisa
DYMPHNA LOVES STEPHEN FOR EVER ………..BOM
no way babe, stephen is only a flash in the pan and with him supportin those that are stoppin her from bein mobile around the town she’ll have blown him out. you and BIG DOMO bring her out and show her a bit of real dublin.
Thats the problem lisa People like Dymphna or should I say patrons like Dympna will be badly effected by this unnecessary action I met her once a lovely lady .I do think she has a point .We allways hurt the ones we love and we love to see customers .I also like her point about tattoos .Why would you want to scar your body
oh no john as somebody who has a tattoo i’m afraid i would have to disagree with that point. now i must away and tend to my ghost chilli.
@Stephen
all im trying to do is to find out what we are striking for ?
what happened at that meeting that has changed everything and how it is going to affect us all you ,me and thousands of other drivers are all in the same boat we do need to stand together but im afraid it will never happen if the ITC want full support they need to be forthcoming with the information for the last number of years the other rep bodies have all operated under a veil of secrecy if you werent a member you had no right to know what was going on as i said eariler when T.D.F.C. started the was a chance somthing would happen but for whatever reason it didnt when the itc started up the same again were going to get the industry sorted and with octobers and last weeks events combined with the usual rank gossip i doubt anything will be done maybe its time for all rep bodies to get together form one strong council use what ever influance they have and maybe for once we will have unity but until somthing like that happens the devisions will remain
Taxidad,
I understand that. ITC have communication problems which I hope they will address.
TDFC weren’t quite as free with information as you might think (I refer particularly to their established lines of communication with the other rep bodies)
@Stephen
i found T.D.F.C. to be forthcoming with information when i approached any of the committie members i have yet to meet anyone from the ITC who can give me the answers that i and plenty of other drivers are looking for it is now the 16th of march not one driver i spoke to today is happy about the protest/strike because the dont know whats its about and if you listen to frank fahey on george hooks show today he is trying his best to get a meeting but the minister is out of the country on the leaflet that was handed to me last weekend 3 of the 11 recommendations are being adressed it might not be much but its a start
It’s only the buyback and banning of rental that matters IMO. The rest has either been addressed or is cosmetic bullshit. I’m glad Frank drew attention to these two recommendations…
@Stephen, as you know TB have drawn attention to the rental market 8 months back ,even to to the extent of pointing to the WAT only issue as a possible bonus for the renters by forcing new entrants into the rental market rather than buy WAT`s.
In fact, you Frank, Brian and John were present at the Raddison Airport last June when I told you this very piece of info.
@ jack
to which john do you refer ?
@ John, Stephen knows. Not you for the record.
That is correct Jack as I noted within discussions on “Engaging for Progress…”
@Stephen. Ta ver much.
That nice Mr Hook
His strong proud Cork Voice booming out over the airwaves striking a blow for you poor taxi drivers as he questioned the deputy.Trust and counter trust as he fought for answers from the deputy and the taxi man .The taxi man said he did not have the mandate to call off the protest .Great leaders take control of their mandate .I read on a poster in Ranalagh as I parked my bicycle in the triangle a poster that said as a good will gesture that you would only go on protest for 3 hours at the airport .Mr taxi man as a real goodwill gesture to your customers dont go on protest at all .
Yours
Dymphna
I shall away now Im reading Winston Churchills biography now ther was a leader of men
@Stephen
the rental of taxis has been around for years long before deregulation the buy back wont happen because the regulator isnt making money on the issue of new plates if you beleive what they are saying and if these are the issues that are that are the cause of the upcoming strikes then ITC need to get to get real
Before deregulation plates had an investment value of £80,000+
As entry is now liberalised there is no justification for any investment value.
I’m not saying rental needs to be abolished, just restricted to WATs.
CTR has a surplus of €23m which could be employed to encourage WAT provision in this manner.
@Stephen
taxi plates are worthless now we all know that but from what i made of the itc position on the radio today is that they want a total ban on rentals the regulators office has to be self funding so they wont even consider a buyback and even if they did you will find every other cost payable to the regulator going up
According to Fingers Fahey’s local rag Minister Dempsey has already instructed CTR to examine the possibility of a buyback scheme.
A ban on rentals (save in respect of replacement cars) is aspired to within OJTCs recommendations to Minister Dempsey.
You are correct to note that such a scheme could result in licence fee increases as, under current legislation, CTR is required to be self financing.
@Stephen
if the ctr is looking at the possibility of buying back plates why not wait until they report back on the issue
the rental issue will never be delt with to everyone satisfaction
the OJCT RECOMMENDATIONS are exactly that recommendations they dont have to be acted upon even if we are lucky we might get half of them
We have no evidence that CTR is looking at the possibility of such a scheme. The only indication was a report in Fingers Fahey’s local rag to the effect that the Minister had instructed them to do so. No statement from the Minister and/or CTR has made any reference to same.
@Stephen
according to the tac statement it is not possible to start a buyback as there is no legislation in place