http://hometown.aol.com/jonihansen/myhomepage/business


This is a GREAT read for all cab drivers, dispatchers, cab company owners, independent operators, and customers in general.

Also...

Sorry to be so long without input here on 'da blog...there are reasons...just not very good ones.

Welcome to Heather

You guys are GREAT...keep on bloggin...ask your self, what do others think about our business...then write some shit right here..

Also...some NEWS! (from the above website)

Alameda Times-Star
(Alameda, California)
May 4, 2004

Cabbies permitted to unionize
By Heather MacDonald, STAFF WRITER

OAKLAND -- Oakland's 200 cab drivers will be allowed to
unionize after the National Labor Relations Board on Monday
affirmed an earlier decision classifying the cabbies as
employees, not independent contractors, of the five big Oakland
firms.

The drivers' petition charged that a closely aligned network of
cab companies systematically takes advantage of drivers who
lease taxis. Drivers for Friendly Cab, Yellow Cab of the East
Bay, California Cab, Greyline Cab and Metro Cab are covered
by the decision.

"This is great news for all cabbies," said Makhan Dabb, a taxi
driver and representative. "I'm really happy."

Some drivers were overcome by emotion when told of the
board's decision, said Don Jelinek, their attorney.

"It was nothing short of screaming and crying when we got it in
the mail," Jelinek said. "It has been a very emotional day."

Eighteen months ago, the five cab companies appealed a
decision by the Oakland office of the National Labor Relations
Board to allow the drivers to unionize. The Washington, D.C.,
branch of the board unanimously rejected the appeal.

Representatives of the cab companies were not available for
comment Monday afternoon.

Drivers have already voted in an election that will decide
whether they will form a union. Jelinek said he expects the vote
to be overwhelmingly in favor of starting a union.

"Then they will begin negotiations for a proper contract," Jelinek
said.

In a separate action, the drivers are suing for back pay in
Alameda County Superior Court. The NLRB decision gives their
arguments in that case a boost, Jelinek said.

That claim alleges the drivers -- mostly immigrants from
Afghanistan, Nigeria and East India -- are made to sign blank
contracts that allow operators to arbitrarily change lease rates
and other terms.

"Many of these drivers send money back home," Jelinek said.
"This decision will have a massive impact."

In addition, drivers are forced to pay for "imaginary classes" and
foot the bill for repairs, even if the damage is covered by the
companies' insurance. The taxis are often in serious need of
maintenance, and drivers are punished for speaking out, Dabb
said.

"If something happens to me, what will happen to my family?"
Dabb said. "The cars should be safe, and we should be charged
a fair rate for the cabs."

E-mail Heather MacDonald at
hmacdonald@angnewspapers.com