Again, we see TfL registered private hire vehicles, using the Uber App to do local pick ups and drop offs, many miles from the area they’re licensed to work in.
We’ve seen TfL registered vehicles working the streets of Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield, Bristol, Luton, Portsmouth, Oxford Reading and many more.
We’ve recently seen complaints from licensed Hackney Carriage drivers in Southend, that some local drivers -who have lost their Southend Council issued licenses over criminal activities- have been spotted driving London TfL registered Uber cars in Southend.
Over this weekend, we’ve been informed that London TfL registered cars are not only working the Uber app, they are illegally touting, working off the local Lee-on-Sea ranks.
When confronted, the Uber drivers become extremely aggressive and threaten violence.
Last week, we saw drivers in Liverpool surround a TfL registered Uber and escort it onto the motorway, in the direction of London.
Ironically, we were later informed that the driver actually lives in Liverpool, but found it easier to get his PH licence and his vehicle licensed in London.
TfL refuse to get involved in these issues and have turned a complete blind eye to this scandalous behaviour from Uber drivers, saying its a problem for the local councils affected.
It’s only a matter of time before tempers reach breaking point and violence becomes common place.
TfL are now protecting their stakeholders (Uber) business model, by refusing to answer a Freedom of Information Request asking for the actual number of drivers licensed by TfL registered with Uber, saying that this information would be commercially sensitive.
This was their reply to the FOI request.
Editorial Extra from Lee Ward.
Why would I expect TfL to deal with this below -spotted in Sheffield- if they can’t deal with them on their own doorstep.
How many borders were crossed for this job to be covered?
A group of London pensioners who fought in World War II have been gathering in the capital today ahead of their final trip ‘Back to the Beaches’ of Northern France. The men and women, who are all in their 90s, are being driven to the D-Day battleground this summer by London cabbies. The campaign is being led by the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans.
Channel4 has commissioned new indie Honey to make The Knowledge: The World’s Toughest Taxi Test, a 1x 60 access documentary going behind the scenes of one of the hardest exams in the world, the test that all black cabbies must take: The Knowledge of London.
The film, which is Honey’s second commission, was commissioned by Lucy Leveugle, Commissioning Editor for Factual Entertainment at Channel4. It was produced and directed by Hannah Lowes with Amelia Hann as the Executive Producer.
For the first time, a fixed camera rig has been allowed inside the gruelling, nerve-wracking oral exams or ‘appearances’ for which candidates known as ‘Knowledge Boys or Girls’ must pass to show they have the necessary expertise. To pass this legendary exam, candidates must memorise and be able to recall the capital’s 25,000 + streets, 100,000 points of interest and how they all fit together.
The film follows the surprising range of characters who are each at various stages of the process, including a single mum, Kosovan immigrant and a bus driver. It takes an average of four years to pass The Knowledge and with a 70% drop out rate any candidate needs a dogged determination to pass and join the ranks of the world’s most elite taxi service.
Creative Managing Director of Honey, Amelia Hann, said “It’s like watching Mastermind with even more drama because people and their families’ livelihoods are at stake. It’s amazing to watch people transform their brains, and their lives, through sheer grit and determination. You’ll never look at a Black Cab driver the same way again”
A simple remedy to this would be for the regulator to amend local requirements to stipulate that all pre booked fares should begin, end, or pass through the licensing area. ‘Island’ arrangements to be made for necessary exceptions.
Below is an (unredacted) extract from the DFT’s response to a recent petition requesting action on the abuse of cross border hiring legislation.
Pimlico Plumbers has lost a court battle over the status of its workers, in the latest legal ruling on employment status in the gig economy.
It came as the government released a report warning that “unscrupulous” employers were in a position to exploit low-paid and low-skilled workers.
Plumber Gary Smith, who worked for Pimlico Plumbers for six years until 2011, had already won an employment tribunal challenging the firm’s view that he was self-employed. Finding the right plumber for your job can be complicated, but looks like being a plumber is challenging as well. Clients usually stay with a company that can render high-quality service. For those who are trying to find more plumbing services in Manassas, Marines Plumbing will gladly provide its complex service.
The court of appeal rejected an appeal lodged by Pimlico Plumbers, founded by the Conservative party donor Charlie Mullins. PIC Plumbing are plumbing contractors in San Diego that can help with any plumbing related issue.
The firm argued Smith was an “independent contractor” rather than a worker or employee.
Smith’s solicitor, Jacqueline McGuigan, said the ruling held wider implications for gig economy firms such as Deliveroo or Uber, both of which are embroiled in rows over employment status. For the best plumbing services, check out plumbers ohio.
“We are absolutely delighted,” McGuigan said. “The decision brings welcome clarity to the issue of employment status relating to work in parts of the economy.”
Speaking outside court, Mullins said: “I am happy. This gives some clarity. We will be looking at the full judgment and there is a good chance we will appeal to the supreme court.”
The UK’s department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) said: “We are determined to make sure our employment rules keep up to date to reflect new ways of working, and that’s why the government asked Matthew Taylor to conduct an independent review into modern working practices.”
But BEIS immediately came under fire from the Green party for failing to publish a report that warned in December 2015 that gig economy workers were at risk of exploitation.
A string of labour disputes have since arisen as staff from firms such as Uber, Deliveroo and CitySprint have fought to have their status upgraded to that of workers or employees.
The report, commissioned by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition, warned that a lack of clarity over workers’ status was allowing “unscrupulous” employers to take advantage of workers.
It explored possibilities including “flipping” the burden of proof in labour disputes, so that employment tribunals would consider complainants to be full employees unless a different relationship could be established.
“Some of the more unscrupulous employers will also have to start to take notice if a significant proportion of their workforce stand up for what is rightfully theirs as a result,” it said.
The Green party said the government’s failure to publish the report since it was completed in December 2015 had increased uncertainty for gig economy workers and forced them to take the risk of going to tribunal.
“It is shameful that Tory ministers have sat on the findings of the coalition’s review into employment status,” said Green co-leader Jonathan Bartley, who wrote to the prime minister in October calling for the report to be published. “As they did so workers everywhere have been living in increasing insecurity and left to fend for themselves.”
Asked why the report had been delayed, BEIS said it had been commissioned to “explore future options” and would help inform the Taylor review into employment status, which was launched a year after the report was published.
Employment law experts said the Pimlico Plumbers ruling would have significant implications for the ongoing dispute over employment status.
Natalie Razeen, employment law solicitor at Russell-Cooke, said the decision “suggests that courts are alive to the inequality of bargaining power faced by individuals in these circumstances.
“This serves as yet another reminder to employers that they should consider the question of employment or worker status carefully.” With the help of www.dbschecks.org.uk it is easier for the employer to know the candidate for the job better.
Marian Bloodworth, employment partner at Kemp Little, said the judgment highlighted the need for legal clarity around the status of those working on a self-employed basis and in the gig economy.
“Tribunals and courts are increasingly willing to look behind the labels businesses use for their staff and will take into account the reality of the working arrangements and relationships,” she said.
The ruling is the latest decision to be handed down in a series of court challenges launched by gig economy workers who feel they should get the same benefits as full-time employees, such as holiday pay and pension.
A cycle courier working for the delivery firm CitySprint won the right earlier this year to paid holidays and minimum pay.
Food delivery firm Deliveroo was told last year it must pay its workers the minimum wage unless they are ruled self-employed by a court or HM Revenue & Customs.
The GMB union is supporting a group of Deliveroo couriers in Brighton who have served two weeks’ notice to their employers to offer better pay and more hours.
Ride-hailing app Uber lost the right to designate its drivers as self-employed last year, in a ruling it has since appealed against.
Maria Ludkin, the GMB’s legal director, said: “This case, like the Uber case last October, is yet another victory for the bogus self-employed who have been treated appallingly by their employer.
“All they want is basic employment rights as are enjoyed by the majority, including the right to be paid a minimum wage and holiday pay.”
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