Union-backed taxi service starts in Newark, amid regulatory debate about Uber
Source: NJ.com
By Naomi Nix
NEWARK As state legislators are mulling proposed legislation to stiffen the regulations for ride sharing services, such as Uber and Lyft, a new union-backed taxi service has started in Newark.
The Transunion Car Service cut the ribbon today on its new nonprofit taxi service in Newark.
"The drivers of these companies are actually the owners," said Lionel Leach, president of CWA Local 1039, which organized the service.
Through the nonprofit organization the drivers will be part of an employee stock ownership plan. They will also have healthcare, retirement benefits and free legal representation, according to Leach.
FULL story at link.
Read more: http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2015/03/union-backed_taxi_service_starts_in_newark_amid_re.html
TRANSUNION CAR SERVICE: http://www.ridetcs.com/
http://www.ridetcs.com/images/tcs-logo-black-circle%20svg.svg
KamaAina
(78,249 posts)SF and other cities where Lyft and Uber are killing the taxi industry should follow suit.
FrodosPet
(5,169 posts)August 15, 2014
an Francisco cabdrivers have decided that it's time to form a union.
The local industry has been reeling for years as venture capital-backed ride services like Uber and Lyft have proliferated and taxi companies' calls to The City to level the playing field have done little to help.
On Wednesday, cab drivers voted to initiate the San Francisco Taxi Workers Alliance, an affiliate of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) -- marking the first time cabdrivers will be unionized in The City in more than four decades.
~ snip ~
Becoming unionized would also give taxi drivers access to legal resources. Taxi drivers are independent contractors with cab companies, who provide workers' compensation but not health insurance. Powder said getting health insurance from cab companies is not a priority at the moment considering other battles they face.
~ snip ~
appalachiablue
(41,132 posts)drm604
(16,230 posts)I've been bothered by the number of progressives who love Uber. It's a company that bypasses labor laws by using contractors. They don't even have to invest in vehicles because they use the contractors' vehicles.
I love the idea of non-profit union owned and run companies.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)They wanted to do things any way they wanted without the rules a person calling for a cab expects to be enforced. After all, the rider is entrusting their safety and their health to these drivers. Fly by nights are get the money and run operations. No responsibility. Progressives support unions, they are what builds the middle class and keep society moving. Don't know one who doesn't, and I hope there aren't any around her thoughtless enough to be against unions.
drm604
(16,230 posts)But I've heard friends, good Democrats, talk about how much they love Uber.
Uber has great marketing, almost making it sound like it's a lefty idea. A blow against the establishment, striking out against the man. Why, they're almost hippies!
brooklynite
(94,571 posts)They rent the cab for the shift and earn what they can. Hasn't been an employed taxi driver in decades.
drm604
(16,230 posts)Nye Bevan
(25,406 posts)Cabs have been cosy cartels for too long. It's great that the days of being treated rudely by a curt dispatcher, then waiting around for half an hour wondering what happened to "ten minutes", are over.
Cal Carpenter
(4,959 posts)Considering it is a worker-oriented, unionized endeavor that follows regulations with licensed and properly insured driver/owners, it is NOTHING like Uber.
PoliticAverse
(26,366 posts)said Lionel Leach, president of CWA Local 1039, which organized the service.
Cal Carpenter
(4,959 posts)The poster to whom I was replying has posted about Uber and Lyft many times before and appears to be a big fan of the unregulated, unlicensed, and under-insured aspects of those companies. So I was looking at it in terms of more than just the app itself. The rest of the paragraph from which you quote provides necessary context.
Imho, the most exciting part about this new business is that it is worker-owned, nonprofit, and union. This is basically the opposite of the Uber/Lyft model, and was the reason I replied above to that particular person.