
Issue No 69		01 September 2000

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News

Olympic Win For Taxi Drivers

By Alice Deboos (TWU Taxi Organiser)

This weeks announcement by the Minister for Transport, Mr Carl Scully of a 10% increase in taxi fares for drivers during the Olympic period has been warmly received by TWU members and the majority of Sydney metropolitan taxi drivers.

Transport Workers Union State Secretary Tony Sheldon says, the decision goes a long way to both compensate and provide drivers with an incentive for working during the games period.'

'While not delivering everything we asked for the fact that this increase goes directly to the drivers and applies across the board means that drivers will be effectively getting a 20% increase anyway - 10% during the day, and an additional 10% on top of the already existing night time tariff.'

Tony Sheldon says it is particularly pleasing that those drivers working at night, who are at the greatest risk of assault and robbery will receive the greatest benefit under this increase.

Taxi drivers are among the worst paid and highly exploited workers in Sydney. Drivers still earn as little as $5 per hour. A quarter of drivers don't receive the right rates.

Tony Sheldon says drivers are entitled to a wage increase and to receive an additional incentive period for working during the Olympic period.

'The Minister definitely deserves our congratulations for recognising this and ensuring that this increase goes directly to the taxi driver and is not passed on the owner or fleet operators,' he said.

TWU taxi driver delegate Michael Hatrick told Workers OnLine, 'What we have to do now is to make sure all drivers are aware that it is absolutely illegal for owners to increase their pay-ins to account for this increase.'

The TWU invites any driver who feels they are getting ripped off during the Olympics or at any other period to contact them on (02) 9912 0700.

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Issue 69 contents

Interview: Global Warrior
International unions have won a game of political football with soccer`s hierarchy - and Aussie Tim Noonan is behind the victory.

History: King of Broken Hill
John Shields recounts the colourful life of William Sydney 'Shorty' O'Neil (1903-2000) and his place in the rich history of a remarkable town.

International: History Repeats At Firestone
More than 8,000 workers, members of the United Steelworkers of America (USWA), are set to strike at nine Bridgestone/Firestone plants in the United States at midnight tonight.

Politics: The Past We Need To Understand
In his Vincent Lingiari Memorial Lecture Malcolm Fraser retraces the path of Australian race relations and laments the terrible impasse we've reached.

Unions: Economic Democracy
Sharan Burrow on making Working Australia's money talk and reforming corporate culture for the 21st Century.

Satire: Another windscreen washer joins millionaire list
SYDNEY, Monday: After just a year in his new job, John Samuels has added his name to the burgeoning list of enterprising Australians who have made their fortunes by offering partial car-washing facilities in convenient inner city road-side locations.

Review: No Long Term
Much political commentary is about the global marketplace and the use of new technologies as hallmarks of the new capitalism. Richard Sennett investigates another dimension of change: new ways of organising time, particularly working time.

» New Benchmark In Bank Greed

» Olympics Deal Sparks Soccer Ball Victory

» Two Day Strike Hits BHP Mines

» Leightons, SOCOG Tremble Before Haka

» Hilton Hotels Limp As Strike Bites

» Wran Lends Boffins A Hand

» ACTU Meets Joy

» Barracks Workers Put The Pinch On Local MP

» Olympic Win For Taxi Drivers

» Australian Unions Keep Spotlight on Fiji

» Staff Eye Telstra Prize

» Dice Loaded Against American Workers

» NZ Union Federations Heal Split

» Pressure Mounts On Nike To Live Olympic Ideal