Log in

View Full Version : London taxi drivers block traffic in Olympic protest



Le Socialiste
17th July 2012, 20:27
LONDON (AP) Hundreds of London taxi drivers have blocked a major intersection in the heart of the city to protest their exclusion from the road lanes dedicated to Olympic traffic.

Drivers in black London cabs blared their horns as they jammed Parliament Square on Tuesday, sending lines of traffic snaking back along surrounding streets.

The cabbies are miffed that they are not allowed into the "Games Lanes" reserved for Olympic athletes, officials and VIPs. The first lane already opened near Heathrow Airport and the rest start two days before the games, which run from July 27 to Aug. 12.

Jonathan Myers of the United Cabbies union says it's "unacceptable" that cabs were not allowed, adding that "this is a working city and we need to get around and do our job."

http://news.yahoo.com/london-cabbies-block-traffic-olympic-protest-143410580--oly.html


London taxicab drivers blocked traffic to protest the Olympic Route Network designed to transport athletes and officials around the city after they were banned from using the lanes during the games.

More than 200 black cabs blocked traffic in Parliament Square in central London for two hours today in a demonstration organized by Cabbies Against Boris, a campaign group for the citys taxicab drivers, who will be excluded from using the lanes from 6 a.m. until midnight. Only official vehicles will be allowed in the lanes during these hours.

We just want to do our job, said David Barret, a London taxicab driver. People are already getting out of the cabs because all the roads are blocked. Im going to be about 70 percent down on my earnings.

The protesters say taxicabs should be given access to the special lanes to carry visitors who may be unable to use trains and buses, such as disabled people, the elderly, and families traveling with small children.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-07-17/london-cab-drivers-protest-against-olympic-traffic-chaos

:thumbup1:

Vladimir Innit Lenin
17th July 2012, 21:42
Saw this, good job guys! :)

erupt
18th July 2012, 00:27
Solidarity with the taxi drivers!

In the least bit, if the drivers won't be able to make their earnings as usual, the government should compensate and pay all cab drivers an average daily wage until all the Olympic proceedings are finished. This, of course, won't eliminate the other workers who are forced to use taxis for commuting to work, though.

Vladimir Innit Lenin
18th July 2012, 17:54
The taxis and bus drivers threatening to strike should join forces, both use the olympic lanes AND stage a fare strike for the duration of the olympics.

lan153rez
18th July 2012, 19:49
may be the driver was drunk for sure otherwise how is it possible to do that where he knows he will face lots of police problems. :)

brigadista
18th July 2012, 19:57
i know a couple of cabbies and i can tell you they are pissed right off!

jookyle
18th July 2012, 20:07
This is a great showing of the working class fighting against the privileged class attempting to hinder their livelihood for their personal benefit, and out of all things, a sports game. The best things those of us who do not live in London can do to help the protest is to make sure the cab drivers that the working class around the world supports what their doing. Morale matters.