Striking taxi drivers vow to step up campaign

Taxi drivers staging a 24-hour work stoppage tonight vowed to step up their campaign for better working conditions.

Taxi Drivers For Change, which organised the protest, said it plans to submit constructive measures that will protect their livelihoods to Government and interested parties.

Spokesman Jim Waldron said nine out of 10 taxi drivers around the country backed its day of action.

For the first time established taxi unions also came out in support of the non-union lobby group which formed earlier this year.

“Around 500 men took part in the picketing of ranks and we had 90% support throughout the industry,” said Mr Waldron.

“There was a lot of interest and anger.

“Most drivers did not pass the pickets and respected the protestors so obviously we had an effect.

“The whole thing was in response to the Goodbody report which does not show any light at the end of the tunnel for taxi drivers.”

Drivers are calling for the suspension of new licences and a review of the taxi industry.

They are also opposing a report by Goodbody Economic Consultants, which recommended against a moratorium on the issuing of new licences.

Members of the Irish Taxi Drivers’ Federation, National Private Hire Taxi Association, and Siptu taxi branch joined the lobby group at ranks in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Dublin Airport.

Hundreds more took part in the protest in Waterford.

While thousands of passengers were left stranded, motorists felt the benefit of having fewer vehicles on the roads.

Neither AA Roadwatch or gardai reported any major traffic congestion around the country.

Mr Waldron said the acknowledgement and support from taxi unions, and the positive response from the public, has justified their action.

“The public understand the problems we are having,” he continued.

“They accepted they have not been able to get a taxi but accepted drivers are struggling to make a living.

“We are hitting ourselves in the pocket by not going out to work. It’s affecting us as much as anybody else.

“But in the long term we are hoping that this will highlight the issue and put more pressure of the Minister for Transport.

“We are not divulging what we are going to do next. But I can assure you we are not going away.”