REASONS TO JOIN

Case History One.   GMB WIN RE-LIMITATION OF TAXI PLATES FOR BRACKNELL MEMBERS

April 2008 60 Bracknell Forest drivers who belonged to the local association contacted the GMB as they were struggling to make a living, too many Taxis plates had been issued and despite their attempts to get the local authority to listen to them they were going nowhere fast. They decided to contact the GMB as they believed a large Trade Union would be able to help them achieve their wish of having a viable Taxi industry with the correct number of Taxis for the level of work which their area produced. The GMB met with the drivers and started work on negotiating with the local council. It was difficult as the licensing officer seemed to put forward every reason under the sun why the drivers wishes was a non starter. The GMB proposed at a trade meeting that an un-met demand survey should be undertaken to establish the condition of the Taxi industry in Bracknell. The GMB were surprised, but pleased to have the support of one high ranking Conservative councilor who agreed with our proposals and this suggestion was put to the licensing committee. Further lobbying and one or two freedom of information requests secured the agreement of the committee to proceed.  The licensing officer also stated that the cost of the survey should be paid by each Hackney Carriage Proprietor in one lump sum, the GMB objected pointing out that his department was ring fenced and suggested that the fee for the survey could be paid back over three years. The committee agreed to this and the survey was implemented. The survey once having been completed showed quite clearly that there was no un-met demand and also showed that if a figure of 74 indicated un-met demand, Bracknells figure was 4!

Further lobbying was done by the GMB and its members and on 1st October 2009 the licensing committee of Bracknell-Forest decided to limit the number of Hackney Carriages for a period of 6 months until the next committee meeting to allow the trade and officers to work further on this issue.

I would like to take this opportunity to thanks local GMB reps John Yaxley and Andy Watson for all their efforts.

The GMB officers locally and nationally are still working in Bracknell to ensure that our members have a safe and viable industry to work in.