Taxi Strike
From today's Post:District taxicab drivers this morning launched the first of what organizers said would be weekly strikes to protest the looming April 6 switch from the city's long-standing zone system to time-and-distance meters.
William J. Wright, president of the Taxicab Industry Group said he could not predict how many drivers will participate in the 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. work stoppage. He said he had not made calls or driven around the city during the morning rush hour to gauge the strike's effect, but would likely get some information during a meeting of cabdrivers scheduled for mid-morning.
Today's action will be followed by another next Tuesday, which will be followed the week after that on Wednesday, and so on, Wright said.
"Until we get some movement from the government, that's how long it's going to last," he said. "We've got to try to stay alive. We've got to try to get the mayor's attention."
Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) recently announced the final new rules for the D.C. taxi industry, including the changeover to meters, a $3 base rate for trips and a maximum fare of $18.90 for rides within the city.
Taxi drivers have said the changes could put them out of business and discourage poorer residents from taking cabs because they will not be able to predict their fares.
Wright said drivers will mobilize at today's meeting, during which they will also discuss a plan to strike during the opening of the new ballpark for the Washington Nationals next month and during any major conventions.
posted by DC Cab Rider @ 9:19 AM
3 Comments:
What strike? There were tons of cabs all over the streets yesterday with passengers in them. I think strike just meant they didn't stop at Union Station.
There was one today, took me 25 minutes instead of 5 to get a cab out of Adams Morgan.
www.envirotaxicab.com
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