Taxi drivers will be protesting in Birmingham today (07/05) and for the foreseeable future.
The news comes after RMT union reported that the council had cancelled talks 24 hours before they were due to take place.
Further protests are planned as follows:
- Tuesday 7th May 2019 – 15.00 – 18.00
- Wednesday 8th May 2019 – 15.00 – 18.00
- Thursday 9th May 2019 – 15.00 – 18.00
- Friday 10th May 2019 – 15.00 – 18.00
- Monday 13th May 2019 – 15.00 – 18.00
- Tuesday 14th May 2019 – 15.00 – 18.00
- Wednesday 15th May 2019 – 15.00 – 18.00
- Thursday 16th May 2019 – 15.00 – 18.00
- Friday 17th May 2019 – 15.00 -18.00
RMT General Secretary, Mick Cash said: “It is a scandal that today’s talks have been cancelled leaving our members angry and frustrated.
“RMT taxi drivers will be protesting again today and calling for meaningful negotiations to be put back in place and alterations to the proposals that seek to address the issue of pollution in the city.
“We want to see a fair deal for taxi drivers whose livelihood would be affected by the proposals.”
A Birmingham City Council spokesperson said: “A Clean Air Zone targets the most polluting vehicles. We have earmarked 39 per cent (£15m) of the £38m funding we have successfully bid for from the Government specifically for Hackney carriage and private hire drivers. This is more than for any other sector.
“We have consulted with the taxi and private hire trade and have also met with trade representatives on numerous occasions to discuss their concerns. Their feedback has helped shape the licensing policies we have prepared in readiness for the Clean Air Zone.
“We are unable to offer any further concessions as this would put us in breach of the terms under which the Government awarded the funding and would leave us unable to deliver the required air quality improvements. This would result in us having to repay the money and leave drivers without the financial support we have worked so hard to secure for them.”
