More taxi and private hire protests to follow, warns Glasgow union

More protests will follow if no additional support is given to taxi and private hire drivers in Glasgow, warns the union.

The Glasgow branch of the ADCU (App Drivers and Courier Union) has today published an open letter to all Glasgow City Councillors after the ‘Go Slow Convoy’ protest they held earlier this month.

In the 3 page letter it details previous arguments, outlines the demands of the private hire drivers. And reveals an early indication that union members are plotting to hold a second protest if adequate support is not given to the trade.

Despite a small amount of help from the Scottish Government, taxi and private hire unions argue that the support on offere “falls way too short” of what is deemed to be needed to help a scarily struggling industry.

On the national level, Katie Forbes, Economy Secretary for the SNP, recently declared that taxi and private hire drivers would each receive a 2nd £1,500 coronavirus support grant from the Scottish Government.

Taxi operators will also be informed by their local authorities and receive further grants.

However, the ADCU’s letter to Glasgow’s Councillors highlights the ‘postcode lottery’ of support being experienced throughout the taxi industry.

Taxi drivers in Angus have been given an additional £2,500 in Grants. Cabbies from Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen and Perth have also received an additional £1,000 from their local councils too.

In Glasgow, no such payment has been tabled to taxi drivers who are struggling under the COVID restrictions.

On 9th June 100 taxi drivers met at Glasgow’s Springfield Quay before starting a slow moving convoy, travelling through the city centre, includingseveral  laps around George Square and the City Chambers, the main council headquarters in Glasgow.

Members from the ADCU were all protesting the poor level of support of offer and have been saying “the support is far too little and far too late”. And also demanding that “meaningful support be delivered immediately”.

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After the protest, ADCU Chair of Glasgow Branch, Eddie Grice, said: “Over a hundred private hire and taxi drivers each took part in the protest with the bold message being sent to the Scottish Government and Glasgow Council was perfectly clear. Drivers are very disappointed with the level of support on offer. And are demanding more help. It’s not simply just about grant money though.

“We are demanding the council to increase the lifespan of private hire vehicles in Glasgow from 7 toa minimum of 10 years and are insisting that. The loss on the lifespan of our licences be mitigated in some way.

“Another amazing thing to see today was the biggest showing of solidarity amongst drivers that our industry has ever seen in Scotland.

“This truly is by far the most united I’ve ever seen our sector and it truly is fantastic to witness. I’m so proud of our members after today and I want to thank them all for showing up in the big numbers that they did. Drivers are all coming together to fight for better working conditions, for better treatment, and the end of exploitative practices in the taxi industry.”

Alf Wellcoat, ADCU Vice-Chair in Glasgow, stated: “We have been trying to start a dialogue with Glasgow council for the last couple of months – they simply haven’t been listening to us. Before the election there were 6 councils, which include Edinburgh, all paying out anywhere between £1,500 to £2,500 as a top up grant.

“Some Scottish councils are gifting up to3 grants and Glasgow is only going to be getting 2– that is our main gripe. We’ve lost a lot of money. It’s going to take a minimum of a year to get back somewhere near to where we were.”

^{More protests will follow if no additional support is give to taxi and private hire drivers in Glasgow, warns the union.}

^{The Glasgow branch of the ADCU (App Drivers and Courier Union) has today published an open letter to all Glasgow City Councillors after the ‘Go Slow Convoy’ protest they held earlier this month.}

^{In the 3 page letter it details previous arguments, outlines the demands of the private hire drivers. nd reveals an early indication that union members. Are plotting to hold a second protest if adequate support is not given to the trade.}

^{Despite a small amount of help from the Scottish Government, taxi and private hire unions argue that the. upport on offere “falls way too short” of what is deeme to need to help a scarily struggling industry.}

^{On the national level, Katie Forbes, Economy Secretary for the. SNP, recently declared that taxi and private hire drivers would each receive2nd £1,500 coronavirus support grant from the Scottish Government.}

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^{Taxi operators will also be. inform their local authorities and receive further grants.}

^{However, the ADCU’s letter to Glasgow’s Councillors highlights the. ‘postcode lottery’ of support . Experienc through. the taxi industry.}

. ^{Taxi drivers in}. ^{Angus have been given an additional £2,500 in Grants. Cabbies from Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen and Perth have also received an additional £1,000 from their local councils too.}

^{In Glasgow, no such payment has been tabled to taxi drivers who are struggling under the COVID restrictions.}

^{On 9th June 100 taxi drivers met at Glasgow’s Springfield. Quay before starting a slow moving convoy. Travelling through the city centre, includingseveral  laps around George Square and the City Chambers. he main council headquarters in Glasgow.}

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^{Members from the ADCU were all protesting the poor level of support of offer. And have been saying “the support is far too little and far too late.. And also demand that “meaningful suppor delivered immediately”.}

^{After the protest, ADCU Chair of Glasgow Branch, Eddie Grice, said. Over a hundred private hire and taxi . drivers each took part in the. protest with the bold message being sent. Scottish Government and Glasgow Council were perfectly clear. Drivers are very disappoint. with the level of support on offer and are demanding more help. It’s not simply just about grant money though.}

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^{“We are demanding the council to increase the lifespan of private. Hire vehicles in Glasgow from 7 toa minimum of 10 years and are insisting that. The loss on the lifespan.of our licences mitigated in some way.}
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^{“Another amazing thing to see today was the biggest showing. Solidarity amongst drivers that our industry has ever seen in Scotland.}

^{“This truly is by far the most . united I’ve ever seen.our sector and it truly is fantastic to witness. I’m so proud of our members after today and. I want to thank them all for showing up in the big numbers that they did. Drivers are all coming together to fight for better working conditions, for. Better treatment, and the end of exploitative practices in the taxi industry.”}

^{Alf Wellcoat, ADCU Vice-Chair in Glasgow, stated: “We have been trying to. Start a dialogue with Glasgow council for the last couple of months – they simply haven’t been listening to us. Before the election there were 6 councils. Ahich include Edinburgh, all paying out anywhere between £1,500 to £2,500 as a top up grant.}

^{“Some Scottish councils are gifting up to3 grants and. Glasgow is only going to be getting 2– that is our main gripe. We’ve lost a lot of money. It’s going to take a minimum of a year to get back somewhere near to where we were.”}