In the latest edition of Taxi paper, Steve MacNamara says that after a huge shake up, the way forward is through "Unity", but only with orgs already recognised by the Mayor and TfL (there's a surprise). So no change there then Steve.
While TfL has an illegal engagement policy in place, there can be no true unity.
This is of course a re-branding exercise to try and staunch the deluge of members leaving the LTDA over recent events, such as lies published week after week for the last two years in Taxi paper and culminating in Oddy's un-consultative Olympic fare hike that led to the trade being slated in the media.
Statement!
General Secretary Bob Oddy has apparently stepped down and will not be seeking re-election..
Oh but hold on, in the latest edition of Taxi paper we are informed he is now Deputy General Secretary and will by working from his old office.
So no change there then Steve.
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| Mason receiving free gifts |
Questions
One question that must be asked here is...
What happened to the unity of the United Taxi Group. How com TfL and the Mayor only saw fit to invite Bob Oddy to a meeting to discuss security breaches in regards to drivers and their families safety?
Where was the Unity there Steve?
Same old Bob, same old LTDA, jumping on the bandwagon of work carried out by others and then pouncing to claim the glory.
No change there then Steve.
Principles?
Then as if this wasn't enough, we are treated to "A Statement of Principle"
Apparently it was the united force of the LTDA, LCDC and Unite Who saved TSSA jobs from being outsourced...Hold on Steve when TSSA asked you and the LCDC and Unite to join them outside Windsor House in protest to their departments proposed outsourcing, you flatly refused.
Evedence
Photos on this blog and on the RMT website show that the only ones who turned up to protest that morning were the RMT and the UCG. (Bandwagon Jumping again Steve).
No change there then Steve.
More Lies Than All the Rest
One final point Steve, on the cover of Taxi Paper it says
"More readers than the rest put together".
So Steve why have you cut back on your print run by 25% ?
Why are there so many copies on the floor at the feeder park, or Euston, or Paddington, are they part of the equation?
More By Popular Demand
Through popular demand, the UCG are to increase their next print run by 30% and they hope to put their magazine in the hands of a driver, not just dump them to be thrown away.
One Question for John Mason.
John, as you constantly contact the Anderson Shelter and the UCG blog complaining of inaccuracies, we would like to know how many times in the last year you contacted the editor of Taxi paper to complain about the constant stream of mis-information and outright lies?
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As a Industry Taxis in London and the Suburbs . Have No One Putting Forward Our Future . Example The TX4 is so badly built if it was a car , you would get a prize for spotting one . The Manufacturer even with a captured market is making a loss . Where is the Choice . Road Tax on TX4 is over £450 a year . What all these associations garages etc etc forget . That we are doing this for Money . Its bad enough trying to get enough passengers . But the TX 4 is Overpriced Unreliable Expensive to Service It looks good . But its a piece of crap .
ReplyDeleteThe argument is its a workhorse . Its a Motor Vehicle that is made by a loss making manufacturer . Now we have Euro 5 . But how come it uses so much diesel . The truth is this if Nissan made a vehicle it would be reliable . But thats no good a reliable vehicle , what would the garages do for loss of revenue on repairs . We have two yearly overhauls , now its two MOTS a year . The present testing system is a farce , all they want is your Money for the test . So Basically Folks as long as everyone can get into our wallets things will carry on as normal . The ltda make a lot of noise , and have opinions on everything . But what exactly have they done . Why is a taxi no good after 15 years ? Why no access to Olympic Lanes . Why a choice of 2 Vehicles . Any business works on the basis of progress and strategy . But I know beleive that People only want our Money to get rich . I like reading amusing stories about the old days . But I want my money used for progress . I hope Bob Crow reacts to Save Our Trade . As it Needs Saving.
If you go to Luton airport you will find drivers have a choice of any type of cab , but 75 percent choose tx 4 or txs, the difference is the drivers in Luton make the cab work for them , they will never have one man doing 8 hours work and the cab left standing all day or night, most cabs will have 3 drivers and the cab running 24 hours, and I have been in a Luton cab garage getting work done and noticed a lot of Luton drivers will come on and just get the Lti parts to be fitted a lot cheaper elsewhere... Speaking to a Luton driver I told him I work from 6am till 2pm and my tx4 cab is left standing on my drive for 16 hours till my next shift he said I must be crazy and burst out with laughter....
DeleteSteve, I would love to join the LTDA and be part of the way forward but could you answer one simple teeny weeny question?
ReplyDeleteWhy oh Why haven't the LTDA challenged STaN?
Are the LTDA in favour of Private Hire Pick Up Points? Private Hire Hubs? Private Hire Marshalled Ranks at so called hotspots?
Steve, do you know and understand what STaN is?
What on earth was the LTDA set up for?
Answers please?
Is that an LTDA diary on the dashboard?
ReplyDeleteIs that Mason's motor?
He won't drive a car, cause he's always on the piss after work, with you know who
DeleteDid I see them refer to minicab touts as 'Taxi touts' in the latest edition? Thanks for that Steve.
ReplyDeleteWill Taxi driver stop throw taxi paper on floor I is fed up
ReplyDeleteYouse just lucky man
DeleteI gets gassed picking up the taxi paper off the slope
Youse in the open then!
TAXI went downhill when they changed the paper used, It used to be great for cleaning the windows and for cutting up in squares for the 'outhouse'. Its still the best use for it but its a bit shiny, YUK!!!
ReplyDeleteAs for the latest tosh in TAXI, it appears Bob O is still the ringmaster but just off stage.
If Mr. McNamara wants unity let's all meet at a neutral venue without preconditions (LTDA,LCDC, UNITE, RMT & UCG) to face the challenges of the trade.
Over to you Steve?.
Oh and another correction for TAXI about the LTDA's sickness schemes being the 'best in the trade'.
The RMT's (and Possibly Unite's) scheme covers you for TWO YEARS not the LTDA's 50 weeks)is cheaper with less exclusions and you can join up to the age of 64 and they have other deals for those older. That the benefit of being in with the 'Big boys' that will soon be joined by the TSSA!
Apart from all that we all await Mr McNamara's olive branch!
SHOW TIME!
Taxi paper make great blanket but cleaner keep hit me on head with broom
ReplyDeleteMcNamara is as much in charge of the LTDA as the President in Russia who is 'assisted' by Putin.
ReplyDeleteThe same goes for that other puppet Davis and no.2 Darrell Cox at the crumbling biscuit factory!