These objects have no impact protection nor facilities for those in wheelchairs or with assistance dogs. The objects are dangerous and should be banned from the public highway and placed within the confines of London's many parks. The Mayor wants to see these objects licensed, we at the RMT London taxi branch wish to see 3rd World rip off dangerous transport removed from the public highway. Others within the London taxi trade think it is a good idea to allow ranks/stands to be placed on the public highway for these objects. We must say it really does worry us and it should certainly worry you that the LTDA and the union UNITE think it would be a good idea to give these objects ranks/stands in any London borough.
You should remember that last year the RMT London taxi branch was the first trade union to react and deal with the issue of the individual on the knowledge of London who had serious mental health problems. The story broke on the 2nd of September we were picketing on the 4th and demanding a reversal of this policy that compromised public safety and our world wide reputation. The other trade organisations finally turned up on the 10th of September when we had done all the hardwork and won the battle in the media with reports in the Evening Standard and regular updates on LBC 97.3 fm. What was a real concern though was the fact that it was and still is rumoured that a certain trade association knew of this information for well over a year but who knows and let us be honest with you we only deal with fact and not fiction here at the RMT.
We have many battles ahead and we hope to soon have some excellent news regarding the London Local Authorities and Transport for London (no.2) Bill. Remember we have an excellent parliamentary team that has written to the Mayor seeking talks and discussions regarding the progress of this bill and our democratic right to object to this daft pointless "Voluntary Registration Scheme" that is unenforceable and unworkable due to its voluntary nature. Remember the RMT says "NO to 19" (clause 19 of the bill) and the voluntary registration of these dangerous objects whilst the LTDA and the union UNITE say lets give them ranks/stands on the public highway. Come to think of it wasn't it the LTDA and the union UNITE that had the ear of the previous Mayor of London Ken Livingstone when Transport for London created these SATELLITE MINI-CAB offices?
Just Remember as we enter another year in recession and the start of the kipper season that it is the RMT specialist tranport union that is picking up the baton left by others who are clearly not up to speed or the job in defending your right to ply for hire.
Join the RMT specialist transport union at http://www.rmt.org.uk/ or contact the branch secretary at londontaxi@rmt.org.uk or via mobile phone 07899 786 433.
