Taxi drivers throughout the country have cause to celebrate!  The AFL-CIO made history on August 3rd by unanimously welcoming the Taxi Workers Alliance into the ranks of labor unions.  The AFL-CIO is the single largest labor federation in the U.S., with a combined membership of over 13,000,000 workers.

     The decision marked the first time in over 60 years (since approval of Cesar Chavez's United Farm Workers), that the AFL-CIO has given a charter to an organization to form a national Organizing Committee to unionize the workers nationwide.  NYTWA's entry into the AFL-CIO signals the first time that an organization representing "independent contractors" has ever entered the federation.  Join us and meet U.S. Secretary of Labor, Hilda Solis, this October at the signing ceremony in D.C., to be held at AFL-CIO headquarters. 

     The unanimous and jubilant vote by the national labor organization's Executive Council was accompanied by standing ovations, friendly hand shakes and effusive welcoming embraces by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka.  

     Representing taxi drivers at the Silver Spring, Maryland meeting at the National Labor College were NYTWA Executive Director Bhairavi Desai, Taxi Workers Alliance of Pennsylvania President Ronald Blount, and Organizing Committee Members of both cities.  From New York were Javaid Tariq, Bill Lindauer, Beresford Simmons and Victor Salazar.  Mohammad Shukur and Patrick Anamah represented the Philadelphia OC.  

     The Executive Council's resolution noted that the Alliance is widely recognized as the representative of drivers in the New York City taxi industry and as an increasingly powerful voice for taxi workers in Philadelphia.

     A statement released by the AFL-CIO Council said:

"The success of the Taxi Workers Alliance will provide an inspiring example of how workers can overcome legal and organizational barriers to create powerful unions and of how the AFL-CIO stands committed, no matter the obstacles, to helping all workers find a path to winning justice on the job.

The council delegated to AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka the authority to issue a charter to the Alliance as the Taxi Workers Alliance organizing committee sometime in the future.  Once it is chartered, the Taxi Workers organizing committee will serve as a national umbrella organization for organizing new unions of taxi workers, beginning with the NYTWA and the Philadelphia Taxi Workers Alliance.

The Taxi Workers Alliance also will build on the NYTWA's success by launching organizing drives in other cities where taxi workers are ready to organize but taxi worker unions do not currently exist."

     Needless to say, the drive home was filled with joy and a renewed determination and energy to help taxi drivers everywhere.  For virtually all cab drivers, no matter what city or town they drive in, are victims of oppression and exploitation.

     Now, with the backing of America's labor movement, TWA will be stronger and more powerful to ensure all driver brothers and sisters have Justice, Rights, Respect and Dignity on the job.

Photo credit (above): Jay Mallin 

AFL-CIO
American Federation of Labor - Congress of Industrial Organizations
 
57 International Unions
Over 13 million strong
 
Can make or break political campaigns.
 
Affiliation Means
1) Benefits for TWA Members, 2) Political Support, 3) Organizing Support
 
In one word:  Power.
 
Membership in New York City Central Labor Council:  Monthly meetings with delegates and political directors of over 400 local unions representing 1.3 million workers to share strategies and resources and offer solidarity.
 
Membership in NYS AFL-CIO:  Albany headquartered, over 2 million member-strong.

Nationalizing
Taxi drivers now have the right to form a TWA Chapter in every city and be recognized by the AFL-CIO, so long as a union doesn't already exist there for them.   
 
In each city, if those drivers are "employees", we need an election. The federal government grants that right.  If "independent contractors", we just need 10% of active drivers to pay membership dues.  A 'National Organizing Committee' has been formed.  NY branch is in charge.  
 
History
Farm workers, in the 1960's, were the last group to receive a charter.  Before that, steel workers in the 1930's.  They, too, started out as an Organizing Committee before becoming national powerhouse unions. 

JOIN

United States Secretary of Labor  

Hilda Solis

AFL-CIO President

Richard Trumka

Congressional Representatives, National Labor Leaders  

& Fellow Taxi Drivers for a Historic Event!

HISTORIC CHARTER SIGNING CEREMONY

AFL-CIO WELCOMES TAXI WORKERS ALLIANCE

Thursday, October 20, 2011

3:00 pm  

AFL-CIO Headquarters  

Washington, D.C.

Ride in the NYTWA

Caravan to D.C.  

Buses to leave from Midtown.   

Call 212-627-5248

     In the last 10 years, illegal pick-ups by not only livery and black cars but private plates have significantly damaged our incomes.  This is because nothing was ever done to stop it.  Things are finally changing.  Imagine - all tickets issued to yellow cab drivers by TLC over the years has been done by 60 officers.  We now have 85 officers whose sole job will instead be to protect us from the illegal pick-ups stealing our fares. 

     It's easy to see the difference this has made.  For example, in July 2009, there were 68 summonses issued.  That number rose to 405 in July 2010 and 1,352 in July of this year.  This is the direct result of our agreement with the Mayor's office and TLC in June, allowing for an anti-illegal street hails enforcement unit.  By the end of the year, there should be over 100 officers in the unit, and 200 in 2012.

(click for larger)

     The TLC's current enforcement is focused on the central core of Manhattan (from downtown up to East 96th St. and West 110th St.) TLC is now working out the airport enforcement details with Port Authority.  TLC is also working with NYTWA on a separate plan to stop illegal pick-ups at the hotels.

1.  The NYS Assembly and Senate passed the bill in June.  The bill still has to be sent to Governor Andrew Cuomo for signing.  Then it will become law.
 
2.  NYTWA supports the bill.  With NYTWA's agreement with the Mayor's Office and TLC, we have won rights to protect ourselves during the transition. 

3.  The bill authorizes permits that will give liveries street hail rights only in some parts of the outer boroughs and only above W. 110th St. and E. 96th St. in Manhattan.  The central business district of Manhattan and the airports remain exclusively and, for the first time, safely ours.  Also, liveries will not be allowed to pick up in five areas of every outer borough where we already have many fares.  TLC cannot issue permits to more than 30,000 liveries.  These are not new liveries or additional cars.

4.  The bill also authorizes 1,500 new yellow medallions.  Of these, 500 will be issued in 2012.  NYTWA will organize low-interest financing workshops for interested drivers.  After the first auction, the TLC will do a study on the impact on driver incomes before further auctions.
 
5.  Garages/brokers and big livery companies are the only ones against the bill.  They want 6,000 free medallions for themselves instead.
 
6.  Be aware. Garages/brokers are collecting petitions, using NYTWA's name.  Do not sign anything without the NYTWA logo and address.  Stay in touch with us for the latest updates.

     Dawa ang Lama had just returned from paying inside at a local gas station in South Ozone Park, Queens, when he noticed something was amiss on Saturday, August 27th.  The taxi he had been driving ... was gone.  A thief hanging out around South Bay Boulevard decided to make use of the brief moment that an engine was left running.  The thief stole Mr. Lama's taxi.   

     Fearing that he would need to replace the $40,000 vehicle, Mr. Lama, an owner-operator, came to the NYTWA office for help.  We, in turn, called NY1 to get his story out to the public, as he would still be responsible for all of the next month's medallion costs despite losing his livelihood.  The segment was taped on a Monday night.  By Tuesday morning, a viewer who was watching the report and had also seen a taxi being towed away that same day let the news channel know.  NY1 then called us, and Mr. Lama was reunited with his car the next day.  Despite being towed, the taxi had not been logged in by the towing company or the NYPD, making it impossible to track another way.

     August 24th marked the one-year anniversary of when Ahmed Sharif, a taxi driver from Bangladesh, was slashed across his arms, throat, and face by a passenger in the backseat.  By all indications, it was a hate crime.  Conversation was friendly at first, then the passenger asked if he was a Muslim.  Ahmed said that he was and then the man attacked him.  NYTWA immediately went to the hospital to help him and brought this issue to the media.

     In the days that followed, NYTWA held a press conference and set up a Family Support Fund, collecting over $96,000 in donations from around the world.  All proceeds went towards his medical expenses and helped to support his wife and four small children.  "The cards and letters we received expressing love, sympathy, and support were heartwarming.  They lifted our spirits and helped to remind us that there are good people in the world with kind hearts", says Ahmed. 

1. There is no more grace period to renew after the expiration date on your hack or FHV.

2. You must complete your renewal application at least 30 days before the expiration date.

3. If you file the paperwork less than 30 days from the expiration date, you will have to pay a late fee of $25 which must be received before the license expires.

4. If your license is suspended, you must still apply for renewal as required.  But, you won't be able to drive until the suspension ends.

5. New applications must be completed within 90 days of the date the application is filed.

The TLC must receive and process all of your papers and payments before the expiration date in order for your license to be renewed.  The drug test, meanwhile, which has to be taken every year, must still be taken within 30 days of the license expiration.

     The renewal paperwork includes the (pink) forms the TLC mails you, along with a DMV abstract if you have an out-of-NYS license; and a defensive driving course certificate every three years.  The $168 renewal fee can be either mailed or you can pay online at the TLC website at www.nyc.gov/lars/.  Drivers are also welcome to come by the union office for any assistance or to pay on-line.

     On holidays or during emergencies drivers bear the burden of slow to no business, paying the lease upfront to the garage/broker.  TLC Chairman David Yassky visited drivers at the JFK taxi lot to thank them for their courageous and heroic service during Hurricane Irene weekend.  "We're so grateful to the thousands of taxi, livery, black car and paratransit drivers who worked, sometimes to the point of exhaustion, to help their neighbors get to safety during those crucial hours before the worst of the storm," said Commissioner Yassky.  "The City asked for their help, and once again they responded loudly and clearly that they were there for us."