This article is from page 3 of the 2006-05-30 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 3 JPG
THE threat of strike action could see taxi services grind to a halt in Ennis next weekend.
Taxi drivers met last night in Ennis to discuss possible strike action over new proposals put forward by the industry regulator, Ger Deering. Members are expected to adopt a motion for strike action which would see taxi services withdrawn from 10am on Saturday, June 3, to 6am Sunday, June 4.
The work stoppage could lead to commuter chaos over the busy bank holiday weekend.
Drivers are unhappy with proposals put forward by Mr Deering that would lead to an extensive overhaul of taxi, hackney and limousine services in Ireland.
There is strong opposition to the introduction of a new standardised fare service and the overhaul of current licensing laws.
Speaking yesterday, Chairman of the Ennis branch of the Taxi Drivers’ Federation, Martin White, said he expected the strike to go ahead.
“It will probably go ahead. The public have nothing to do with this and it is unfortunate that the public has got caught up in the middle. I would hope that we could resolve this without going on strike. It’s bad enough with Iarnród Éireann, but we don’t want to let the public down as well. I’d like to apologise to the public on behalf of all members”.
Mr White added that new centralised licensing proposals could compromise the safety of drivers and passengers.
“He’s (Ger Deering) issued these numbers from 10,000 up and it’s impossible to tell where a taxi is registered. With the old system, there was a single number and if you had a problem with a taxi driver you could easily identify the car. Look at where that woman was attacked by someone posing as a taxi driver. It’s easier for people to pose as taxi drivers,” said White.
The row escalated between unions and the regulator last month when members of the Cork branch of the National Taxi Drivers’ Federation voted for an overnight stoppage. Head of the National Taxi Drivers’ Union, Tommie Gorman, has said that the strike could lead to chaos on the streets.
Other mooted reforms include a new complaints system for customers and extra training.