Never in our London Taxi Trade's history, have we been under such threat and pressure. Never have we had so much competition to remain an iconic world respected trade. Never have we been up against such vigorous and persistent opposition. But worse of all, never in our tenure initially granted by The Protector Oliver Cromwell, have we been governed, controlled and managed, by such a biased, short sighted and duplicitous hierarchy as Transport For London.
They appeared to have bent over backwards, to enable our famous and proud service, to dissolve unchallenged without the slightest sign of empathy or loyalty to so many years of platinum standard service to London and it's travelling public.
I saw this coming nine years ago, and have bored even myself, let alone my colleagues, and preached and whined on and on, that Men were coming to kill us. I didn't trust the commissioners of Law, and neither should I have done.
That of course, is all in the past, I know. But surely, in the precarious and volatile thread that our future now dangles from, it is apparent that a hard and serious challenge is the only perceivable course of action for us ?
Surely it is blatantly obvious by now, that the negotiations, meetings, deals and blah, blah effing blah.......has won us nothing ?
You see, I have many, many fantastic friends and colleagues in or industry, and they belong to all different trade clubs, unions and organisations. Nothing wrong with that of course. I understand that. BUT.......only if when push come to very important shove......we all stick together .
When the UCG announced imminent trade action this week, I cheered and clapped in unity, happiness and hope. It is after all, our only hope. We are surrounded folks. The men are here ! They got in through an unlocked back door, they are positioned, tooled up to the teeth and ready to take us out the Taxi game.
So when our colleague and United Cabby's Group, Len Martin calls for the back up battalion to give these shysters a fight, come down the ropes and blow the windows out, it is of absolutely no question about it, that anybody who drives a cab for a living, and wants to continue into the next decade, is certainly gonna be there, to answer our united trade call for assistance ?
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They appeared to have bent over backwards, to enable our famous and proud service, to dissolve unchallenged without the slightest sign of empathy or loyalty to so many years of platinum standard service to London and it's travelling public.
I saw this coming nine years ago, and have bored even myself, let alone my colleagues, and preached and whined on and on, that Men were coming to kill us. I didn't trust the commissioners of Law, and neither should I have done.
That of course, is all in the past, I know. But surely, in the precarious and volatile thread that our future now dangles from, it is apparent that a hard and serious challenge is the only perceivable course of action for us ?
Surely it is blatantly obvious by now, that the negotiations, meetings, deals and blah, blah effing blah.......has won us nothing ?
Or is it me ?
Am I missing something here ?
You see, I have many, many fantastic friends and colleagues in or industry, and they belong to all different trade clubs, unions and organisations. Nothing wrong with that of course. I understand that. BUT.......only if when push come to very important shove......we all stick together .
When the UCG announced imminent trade action this week, I cheered and clapped in unity, happiness and hope. It is after all, our only hope. We are surrounded folks. The men are here ! They got in through an unlocked back door, they are positioned, tooled up to the teeth and ready to take us out the Taxi game.
So when our colleague and United Cabby's Group, Len Martin calls for the back up battalion to give these shysters a fight, come down the ropes and blow the windows out, it is of absolutely no question about it, that anybody who drives a cab for a living, and wants to continue into the next decade, is certainly gonna be there, to answer our united trade call for assistance ?
Right ?
Don't even ask such a stupid question !
Don't even ask such a stupid question !
Of course we will all be there, Len ! I know some of us belong to other regiments for sure, but we all want to win the war, and as one, we are an army..........aren't we ?
We all drive the same cabs, don't we ?
All got the same meters, haven't we?
All got a bill and a badge, haven't we ?
Of course we have !
Of course we have !
And we are all London Licensed Taxi Drivers. All trying to stay in a trade that we have worked so hard to belong to, for so long, under so much pressure from everywhere.
I know, that like me, we have all heard the old chestnuts about " So and so is working his socks off behind the scenes " or " Just play it slowly, softly softly catchee monkey " or " So much is being done in the background "
You can say that again ! So much IS being done in the background............but it aint from us and if it is, its failed !
As I write this, I cannot confirm what I have heard is the truth. But this morning I have heard that major trade organisations who support the futures of London Taxi drivers ARE NOT WILLING TO SUPPORT LEN MARTEN'S CALL !
As I say, I can't confirm it at this stage, and God willing, it will prove just another rumour.
But I promise you this. If it turns out to be true, and the UCG go into Oxford Street on their own, with no OFFICIAL back up from our other trade battalions, I will never ever write another word, support another demo, attend another meeting or do one single thing ever to help or assist this trade again.
And I can hear the response now. Fu** him ! Who does he think he is ? We wont miss him anyway ! Bollox to him !
I expect that and will be saddened to hear it. It will hurt me for sure, and I will miss being involved. Furthermore, what difference will one man make ?
I am not a Diva, I am not anybody special and the trade will certainly run without me. I know that.
But when you think of the work that front line action teams like the UCG do to try to claw back a fight that we hold onto by a whisker, I find it an insult to their tenacity and spunk, to refuse a call for solidarity and help.
Let alone what Jim Thomas puts into this site. So if we don't go in as a UNITED TRADE FORCE , I as a one man demonstration against persistent trade apathy and lack of unity will be out. Totally. I cant stand by for another minute watching a potentially awesome trade, unable to wipe its own arse.
As I say, it is just a rumour as I type this. I don't think I will have to throw my toys at the pram when push comes to shove. The whole London Taxi Trade will support the UCG to remain a force of iconic pride, professionalism and platinum standard.
Wont it ?
See you up there folks. This is surely our last chance to be counted.
And in the best and most sincere traditions of The Great London Cabby................Be Lucky.
8829 Semtex.
I know, that like me, we have all heard the old chestnuts about " So and so is working his socks off behind the scenes " or " Just play it slowly, softly softly catchee monkey " or " So much is being done in the background "
You can say that again ! So much IS being done in the background............but it aint from us and if it is, its failed !
As I write this, I cannot confirm what I have heard is the truth. But this morning I have heard that major trade organisations who support the futures of London Taxi drivers ARE NOT WILLING TO SUPPORT LEN MARTEN'S CALL !
As I say, I can't confirm it at this stage, and God willing, it will prove just another rumour.
But I promise you this. If it turns out to be true, and the UCG go into Oxford Street on their own, with no OFFICIAL back up from our other trade battalions, I will never ever write another word, support another demo, attend another meeting or do one single thing ever to help or assist this trade again.
And I can hear the response now. Fu** him ! Who does he think he is ? We wont miss him anyway ! Bollox to him !
I expect that and will be saddened to hear it. It will hurt me for sure, and I will miss being involved. Furthermore, what difference will one man make ?
I am not a Diva, I am not anybody special and the trade will certainly run without me. I know that.
But when you think of the work that front line action teams like the UCG do to try to claw back a fight that we hold onto by a whisker, I find it an insult to their tenacity and spunk, to refuse a call for solidarity and help.
Let alone what Jim Thomas puts into this site. So if we don't go in as a UNITED TRADE FORCE , I as a one man demonstration against persistent trade apathy and lack of unity will be out. Totally. I cant stand by for another minute watching a potentially awesome trade, unable to wipe its own arse.
As I say, it is just a rumour as I type this. I don't think I will have to throw my toys at the pram when push comes to shove. The whole London Taxi Trade will support the UCG to remain a force of iconic pride, professionalism and platinum standard.
Wont it ?
See you up there folks. This is surely our last chance to be counted.
And in the best and most sincere traditions of The Great London Cabby................Be Lucky.
8829 Semtex.
Editorial Comment:
Semtex, although it saddens me greatly, I can confirm the other trade orgs have refused to officially back this action. Although members have been told they can attend on their own behalf.
At a recent meeting held to discuss next Tuesday's demonstration, it was explained that as is normal practice, the UCG contacted the Met Police and informed them of our intended action. At first the police seemed to be agreeable that we would be allowed a 2hr window to hold out protest up and down Oxford Street.
But shortly after the initial phone conversation, the Met came back and said that owning to a complaint from certainobjectors (TfL) over the disruption to the many bus routs using Oxford Street, the demo would only be given 15 minutes grace.
It has also come to light that backing from the Bikers Against TfL lobby group has had to be suspended after police intervention.
(This will not however affect the support from Knowkedge students who will attend).
This type of action from the met on behalf of TfL is totally unacceptable. The Cyclist Lobby have held die-ins on many London Streets have never been put under this type of restriction. Jut a short time ago a certain community marched from Whitechapel to Whitehall and the police blocked off roads along the rout.
We will have our demo!
The police can not stop Taxis slowing driving up and down Oxford street. That would not come under the same legislation as a protest or demonstration, it would be simply a mass ply for hire.
It has also been suggested that we should offer the public a free shuttle service on the day, between New Oxford Street and Marble Arch.
The BBC have been incontact with the organisers and interviews will be conducted. We have spokespeople available up and down the rout, but if you are stopped and asked what the demo is about, please refer to the driver flyers given out, stick to the script and don't mention the U word.
TtT
