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Author Topic: No Taxi Service in Ottawa Come New Year's Eve [CUPE]
Mick
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posted 06 December 2003 03:21 PM      Profile for Mick        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
No Taxi Service in Ottawa Come New Year's Eve

OTTAWA, Dec. 4 /CNW/ - Contract negotiations broke off today between
Ottawa's taxi dispatchers, members of CUPE 4266, and ZipTrack, the company
that operates Blue Line, Capital, Veterans and DJ Taxi. The strike deadline
has been set for Thursday, January 1, 2004 at 12:01am. This will effectively
shut down taxi service in Ottawa as early as New Year's night.

"We have had enough of being the worst paid workers in the call centre
industry," says Donna Reany, Chief Steward, CUPE 4266. "There are people who
have been working here for 33 years and still not making $12 an hour. We
deserve to be rewarded fairly for our dedication and service." ZipTrack's 50
taxi dispatchers make on average $11 an hour for full-time work and $8 an hour
for part-time work, and are not entitled to any benefits or workers
compensation.

A strike vote next Monday is expected to show overwhelming support for a
strike mandate. "We're only making $3 more an hour than we were making 20
years ago. No one can survive on that," continues Reany.

CUPE 4266 is also preparing to charge ZipTrack with unfair bargaining for
a number of violations in the past week that include the termination of a
member of the bargaining committee without just cause.

The union representing Ottawa's taxi drivers, CAW 1688, has agreed to
respect CUPE 4266's picket line and forgo the use of ZipTrack's dispatch
services for the duration of the strike.

In support and preparation for the taxi dispatcher strike, CUPE 4266 is
asking people to utilize a volunteer ride service provided by MADD's Operation
Red Nose (Mothers Against Drunk Driving). If you are under the influence of
alcohol, please contact 771-AUTO for a safe ride to your destination.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is the largest union in the
country representing over half a million workers.


For further information: Donna Reaney, Chief Steward, CUPE Local 4266,
613-797-9806; Andy Mele, CUPE Representative, 613-878-4444; Diane Kalen, CUPE
Communications, 647-224-0662



From: Parkdale! | Registered: Jun 2002  |  IP: Logged
Mick
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posted 10 December 2003 01:00 PM      Profile for Mick        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
CANADIAN UNION OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES

Attention News/Labour Editors:

Taxi grinch's ambitions drive Ottawa's taxi service to a halt

OTTAWA, Dec. 8 /CNW/ - Ottawa's taxi dispatchers, members of CUPE Local
4266, gave their Bargaining Committee a 96% mandate today to strike against
Ziptrack, a new company which operates Blue Line, Capital, Veterans and DJ
Taxi. With the present contract expiring December 31, 2003, the strike date
has been set for New Year's Eve night - the taxi industry's busiest night of
the year. Unionized taxi drivers, also employed by the owners of Ziptrack,
have agreed to support the dispatchers' picket-line.

"Ziptrack promised changes when they took over Ottawa's taxi industry two
and a half years ago," says Donna Reaney, Chief Steward, CUPE Local 4266.
"They never told us that every change would make them richer and us poorer."
The dispatchers are paid an average wage of $9 an hour and are not entitled to
benefits. "It's time to teach the taxi grinch a lesson."

Despite consolidations, the introduction of technology and expanded
service, dispatcher wages remain stagnant while the workload is ever
increasing. Individual dispatchers answer and respond to between 500 and 1000
calls a day and have only one break for lunch.

CUPE Local 4266 is also preparing to charge ZipTrack with unfair
bargaining for a number of violations in the past week that include the
termination of a member of the Bargaining Committee without just cause.

In support and preparation for the taxi dispatcher strike, CUPE Local
4266 are asking people to assign designated drivers, use public transit and
utilize a volunteer ride service provided by MADD's Operation Red Nose
(Mothers Against Drunk Driving). If you are under the influence of alcohol,
please contact 771-AUTO for a safe ride to your destination. Individuals are
also encouraged to offer to be a volunteer driver for Operation Red Nose.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is the largest union in the
country representing over half a million workers.


For further information: Donna Reaney, Chief Steward, CUPE L. 4266,
613-797-9806; Andy Mele, CUPE Representative, 613-878-4444; Diane Kalen, CUPE
Communications, 647-224-0662



From: Parkdale! | Registered: Jun 2002  |  IP: Logged
HeywoodFloyd
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posted 10 December 2003 01:19 PM      Profile for HeywoodFloyd     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Good on ya.

Forget about all those people with no other way to get home from their parties but to drive themselves.

I hope the dispatchers make time to go to the funerals. Nothing like a few dead bodies to make that $1.00 taste good.

I hope the companies lock them out. I also hope that the NDP, with their focus on social responsibility, does not endorse this action if it does begin on Jan 1, 0000 hrs. If they had any decency, they would wait until 1200 hrs.


From: Edmonton: This place sucks | Registered: Jun 2003  |  IP: Logged
Mick
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posted 10 December 2003 01:55 PM      Profile for Mick        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
What I don't understand about this strike is how it would hurt the company more than the drivers.

From what I understand most taxis are rented to the driver along with the taxi license plate. That's how the company makes it's money, not on fares collected. The fares the driver collects are their take-home pay, after paying for the above rentals, gas and other expenses.

By calling a strike on New Years, I think they're hurting the taxi drivers far more than the company.

Still, I do support the right of the dispatchers to strike and being in a legal strike position for new years puts them in a strong bargining position.

[ 10 December 2003: Message edited by: Mick ]


From: Parkdale! | Registered: Jun 2002  |  IP: Logged
dee
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posted 10 December 2003 02:03 PM      Profile for dee     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Their bargaining position would be strong at any time of the year. Striking on New Year's Eve is simply irresponsible.
From: pleasant, unemotional conversation aids digestion | Registered: Jul 2001  |  IP: Logged
Mick
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posted 10 December 2003 02:41 PM      Profile for Mick        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by dee:
Their bargaining position would be strong at any time of the year. Striking on New Year's Eve is simply irresponsible.

Are you refering to drunk driving?

If so, it's the drunk driver that's irresponsable, not the dispatchers. Nobody forces anyone to drive drunk and both of CUPE's press releases outline alternative means of transportation (as simple as having a designated driver, or using public transit).

If you're refering to inconveniance, well I put the dispatchers right to strike over your conveniance.


From: Parkdale! | Registered: Jun 2002  |  IP: Logged
lagatta
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posted 10 December 2003 03:08 PM      Profile for lagatta     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Mick, god knows I'm an adamant defender of workers' rights including the unconditional right to strike. But your arguments don't hold water ... or beer ... or.

In real life, people may not plan to drink too much or get too tired. There are lots of reasons someone may not be fit to drive. Taking a taxi is the responsible thing to do. I don't know if there is really all night public transport in the Ottawa area on New Year's eve (it isn't bad here in Montreal, but in my experience buses are few and far between on Christmas and New Year' s in Ottawa, though now it is a very large metropolitan area).

I don't really know any parties where people agree to be designated drivers, unless they are non-drinkers to begin with. Perhaps that is cultural - perhaps it is done more in English-speaking Canada. We really like Nez Rouge here because there is no component o morality (none of those horrid MADD harridans involved, it's purpose is simply to save lives).

God knows I support the underpaid taxi drivers and dispatchers (hey Michelle, lots of Iranian engineers ) but unions should attempt to get ordinary working people on side. There are lots of Ottawa mandarins and visiting pols to inconvenience, to win their point.


From: Se non ora, quando? | Registered: Apr 2002  |  IP: Logged
Sports Guy
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posted 10 December 2003 05:44 PM      Profile for Sports Guy     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
It is December 10, people have three full weeks to plan a way home on New Years Eve. The decision whether to drink and drive often happens when you first leave home, if you take a taxi or a ride to the party you can't drive home. As well, taxi drivers can still line up outside of popular bars and party sites and pick up fares without dispatchers.

A strike is supposed to inconvienience people otherwise it doesn't have much power. I think the irresponsible people here are management who agreed to have the contract expire December 31 at midnight. Thus ends my first, and propably last pro-union post on babble.


From: where the streets have no name | Registered: Mar 2003  |  IP: Logged
swirrlygrrl
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posted 10 December 2003 06:00 PM      Profile for swirrlygrrl     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I can't believe people are against this. We're talking about the ability of people to make a decent living, feed their families and such, as compared to the "right" to get hammered and not take responsibility for your actions. Suck it up - its New Years eve, and if people are forced to walk, take public transit, plan in advance, forgo an evening of drinking, call their friends or family, or MADD, or wait on the street for a cab, so be it.
From: the bushes outside your house | Registered: Feb 2002  |  IP: Logged
HeywoodFloyd
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posted 10 December 2003 06:18 PM      Profile for HeywoodFloyd     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
You suck it up. The dispatchers are going to financially hurt the drivers, not the owners. The drivers will still have to pay for the cars & plates and people who need rides will still be able to flag one down. However, anyone with special needs will be SOL unless one happens to drive by.
From: Edmonton: This place sucks | Registered: Jun 2003  |  IP: Logged
DrConway
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posted 10 December 2003 06:55 PM      Profile for DrConway     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Workers have to have the right to strike when they deem it appropriate, not just when they get divine permission to do so.
From: You shall not side with the great against the powerless. | Registered: May 2001  |  IP: Logged
Michelle
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posted 10 December 2003 08:20 PM      Profile for Michelle   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I love this argument that it's irresponsible to strike on New Year's Eve. Like, DUH. What, they should limit their strikes to 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. Sunday mornings?

That's like saying that teachers should only strike during the summer holidays. Because golly, that sure would be a great leverage tool now wouldn't it?


From: I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell. | Registered: May 2001  |  IP: Logged
lagatta
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posted 10 December 2003 08:29 PM      Profile for lagatta     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I certainly support and defend workers' right to strike unreservedly - though I confess I'd rather they strike when they are inconveniencing government mandarins and MPs than partygoers. Question of tactics, not of principle. Of getting people onside.

By the way, I do support people's right (no quotes) to get a bit hammered, as long as they don't drive drunk, operate machinery or perform brain surgery etc. Against meddling religious prigs like MADD - who aren't just concerned with road accidents.

I'm wondering how the taxi industry could be cleaned up so workers could make a living wage (whether or not they have "families" to support). I wish a lot of the social need for taxis, say to go to clinics, for old people who really can't take public transport as it now exists, etc. could be socialised somehow. No, I'm not concerned about partygoers. The solution to that is simply all-night buses, metro lines and trams.


From: Se non ora, quando? | Registered: Apr 2002  |  IP: Logged
scrabble
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posted 10 December 2003 08:33 PM      Profile for scrabble     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Help prevent the strike: phone ZipTrack and tell them to straighten up and fly right.

While you're at it, please also write to CUPE in support.


From: dappled shade in the forest | Registered: Jul 2002  |  IP: Logged
lagatta
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posted 11 December 2003 07:36 AM      Profile for lagatta     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Scrabble, have you got a link to the CUPE local? It would be cool if we could get more updates on the workers' struggle.

I really think the long-term solution to this cutthroat industry that depends on the exploitation of workers is socialising a lot of the services provided by taxis. Not MPs or partygoers, obviously, but so many people, elderly and ill, have to take taxis to get to health care etc.


From: Se non ora, quando? | Registered: Apr 2002  |  IP: Logged
scrabble
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posted 11 December 2003 11:51 AM      Profile for scrabble     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Mick's already posted the release, but here's the link to the CUPE site. They have a nice "post a comment" feature at the bottom of the piece.

In BC, although elderly and sick folks take taxis, some also have the option of calling for a HandyDart - it's an extension of the public transit system, wherein converted vans (with wheelchair lifts etc) are available for transporting folks who qualify. Anyone with physical or cognitive disabilities can apply, and the drivers have special medical certifications.

As for folks who are ill short-term: I sympathize, obviously, but I'd also hate to be a cabbie with a hacking vomiting contagious passenger. Uuuurrghhh.


From: dappled shade in the forest | Registered: Jul 2002  |  IP: Logged
dee
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posted 11 December 2003 04:53 PM      Profile for dee     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
I can't believe people are against this. We're talking about the ability of people to make a decent living, feed their families and such, as compared to the "right" to get hammered and not take responsibility for your actions. Suck it up - its New Years eve, and if people are forced to walk, take public transit, plan in advance, forgo an evening of drinking, call their friends or family, or MADD, or wait on the street for a cab, so be it.

I'm against taxi workers striking on New Years eve because although we can all argue that it is the drivers who are responsible for their own action (they are) and that they have 3 weeks to make alternate arrangements for getting home (they do) and even though the taxi employees should make a better wage than they are, the fact remains that a New Years strike will end with more drunk drivers on the road. Period. It has nothing to do with someone's rights to get loaded on New Years but more to do with the reality that some people won't plan and aren't responsible. Strikes that are inconvenient I have no problem with. Strikes that have a strong chance of resulting, even indirectly, in serious injury or death; *especially* when this can be avoided by waiting 12 hours are, as I stated previously, irresponsible.

Edited to add... Swirrlygrrl, just so you know, I am aware that you did not mention the time people have to prepare and maybe other things I jsut mentioned, I quoted you because your quote seemed to sum up the general view on this thread

[ 11 December 2003: Message edited by: dee ]

[ 11 December 2003: Message edited by: dee ]


From: pleasant, unemotional conversation aids digestion | Registered: Jul 2001  |  IP: Logged
vickyinottawa
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posted 12 December 2003 05:15 PM      Profile for vickyinottawa   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by HeywoodFloyd:
You suck it up. The dispatchers are going to financially hurt the drivers, not the owners. The drivers will still have to pay for the cars & plates and people who need rides will still be able to flag one down. However, anyone with special needs will be SOL unless one happens to drive by.

Most drivers have cell phones - they could still work on New Year's, just avoid using the dispatch and stick to privately-arranged rides.


From: lost in the supermarket | Registered: Apr 2001  |  IP: Logged
HeywoodFloyd
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posted 12 December 2003 05:19 PM      Profile for HeywoodFloyd     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I'm sure they will do that. I'm sure that the managers will be manning the call centre and will be phoning the drivers to get them out. Just one more cost for the drivers to cover on their narrow margins.
From: Edmonton: This place sucks | Registered: Jun 2003  |  IP: Logged
Mick
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posted 18 December 2003 05:18 PM      Profile for Mick        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Windsor too!

quote:
Cabbies postpone strike
Union sets date for early January, will work holidays
By Craig Pearson Star Staff Reporter
Tuesday, December 16, 2003


Taxi drivers will strike for the first time in Windsor in early January if management doesn't change tactics that the union calls "a slap in the face."

Mike Renaud, president of Canadian Auto Workers union Local 195, which represents about 300 drivers of the Canadian Veteran Cab company, thinks management wants a fight.

"There's all kinds of evidence that they're trying to break the union," Renaud said Monday at a news conference announcing the pending work stoppage.

"Despite that we're in bargaining, they raised the rates (that the company charges drivers). That to me is a call to arms. It's a slap in the face."

Renaud said Veteran, the largest taxi company in Windsor ? a city with about 600 licensed cabbies ? raised its weekly drivers' rate from $85.50 to $125, a 46-per-cent increase. As well, the company wants to increase its weekly cab rental rates.

Renaud considers the hike akin to dropping employee wages in the middle of bargaining, something he said would spark an immediate strike at any CAW plant. He said the company has already pledged in writing to use replacement drivers if a strike occurs, another provocation in the CAW's eyes.

"It's the kind of total disregard for the union and for the process that has put us in a position where we have to take some action," Renaud said. "It's a declaration of war to our union."

In 1996, Vet Cab drivers voted to join the United Steelworkers of America whose retail-wholesale division was taken over by the CAW two years ago.

A decertification vote was thwarted because first-contract arbitration had started.

This time, the CAW collected a 62-per-cent strike vote, lower than the high 90s the union generates in its plants.

"We don't enjoy the solidarity we normally do in our units," Renaud said.

"However, I've tried to impress upon the employer that it's not just this unit that's going to be on strike against Vet Cab. We're going to call for the assistance of every CAW member, some 30,000 strong in this area."

Though the union would not release a strike date, Renaud said the work stoppage would likely last about two weeks.

During that time, Local 195 plans to set up a special phone line in order to dispatch cabs itself.

Veteran Cab general manager Stuart Caverhill would not comment except to say the union walked away from the negotiating table, not the company.

Ali El-Khadib, a Vet driver since 1991, said he doesn't want to strike but feels he must.

"Negotiations are at a dead end," said the 51-year-old father of two.

"We agree with the company more than they deserve, but they still want more.

"Drivers work 12-hour days and we make about minimum wage. We cannot cover the kind of increases the company wants."

© Copyright 2003 Windsor Star



From: Parkdale! | Registered: Jun 2002  |  IP: Logged
Michelle
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posted 18 December 2003 08:09 PM      Profile for Michelle   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Mick, see that little copyright symbol you quoted along with the rest of that entire article? That means you can't reproduce the entire article or it's a violation of copyright.

Not that I personally should have anything to say about that, being a KaZaA user, but babble does try to abide by copyright policy.

[ 18 December 2003: Message edited by: Michelle ]


From: I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell. | Registered: May 2001  |  IP: Logged
Michelle
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posted 18 December 2003 08:15 PM      Profile for Michelle   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
On topic: what does the CAW mean when they say they're going to not only get the cab drivers from the company to strike, but also get "assistance" from their other union members in Windsor? What kind of "assistance" could they get from people in other industries? Just a boycott of the cab company, or actual pickets?

And how would pickets affect a cab company anyhow, I wonder. Seems to me that traditional tactics like picketing won't work since the workplace isn't static and location-oriented. Replacement workers will be driving cars all over the place.


From: I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell. | Registered: May 2001  |  IP: Logged
Mick
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posted 18 December 2003 08:35 PM      Profile for Mick        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by Michelle:

And how would pickets affect a cab company anyhow, I wonder. Seems to me that traditional tactics like picketing won't work since the workplace isn't static and location-oriented. Replacement workers will be driving cars all over the place.

Workers could picket the garage and keep scab drivers from driving the companies cabs in the first place.


From: Parkdale! | Registered: Jun 2002  |  IP: Logged
Michelle
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posted 18 December 2003 09:04 PM      Profile for Michelle   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Oh, I see. I thought lots of cab drivers owned their own cars. But I guess the replacement drivers would be using fleet cars.
From: I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell. | Registered: May 2001  |  IP: Logged
abnormal
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posted 18 December 2003 09:24 PM      Profile for abnormal   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
You can definitely picket garages and stop, or at least intimidate, drivers that don't want to strike.

For those drivers that own their own cabs, all that this can do is hurt them on one of the busiest nights of the year.

For those that drive company cars (the ones that actually need the income the most) if/when they end up on the road this will only cut their income big time. As noted, they will still have to pay the company the same flat fee regardless of how much or how little they make.


From: far, far away | Registered: Aug 2001  |  IP: Logged
Mick
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posted 13 January 2004 01:52 AM      Profile for Mick        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Justice for the taxi dispatchers

[January 12, 2004] Ottawa's taxi dispatchers, members of CUPE Local 4266 are asking for your support.

Ziptrack, a new company, which operates Blue Line, Capital, and DJ Taxi intends to continue to expand and make huge profits at the expense of their workers. The 40 members have had enough of being the worst paid workers in the call centre industry.

Taxi dispatchers make on average of $9 per hour. These members answer and respond to between 500 and 1000 calls a day and are not entitled to any benefits not even workers compensation. There are Union members who have been working here for over 30 years and still not making $12 an hour.

On Wednesday, January 14th, you can join hundreds of area residents, activists and supporters:

Where: 455 Coventry Road

When: 12 Noon to 1:30 p.m.

We'll show management that these Brothers & Sisters are not standing alone.

SUPPORT TAXI DISPATCHERS!

Buses and caravans will leave from CUPE National Office (21 Florence St) at 11:45

For information contact:
Andy Mele, CUPE National Representative
at 878-4444
Donna Reaney, Steward L. 4266-08 at 797-9806


From: Parkdale! | Registered: Jun 2002  |  IP: Logged

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