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Advice for tomorrow's fare increase hearing

As you all know, tomorrow is the fare increase hearing at City Hall (121 N. LaSalle), Room 201A at 9:30 AM.

I encourage everyone to be there to show your support.

If you are planning to speak, I offer a few suggestions.

1. Make your points clear and brief.
The tendency of some people is to try to cram every issue they can think of because they see this as their chance to say what's on their mind. And it is a great chance to say what's on your mind. But when people talk too long, their points often get lost in their ramblings. Make your points and provide a brief example or two if you see fit. The last think you want to do is to put everyone to sleep.

2. Know your audience.
The people you will be addressing are not your enemies. They are your elected officials whether you voted for them or not. You are not going to accomplish a thing by trying to embarrass or intimidate them. Treating them as enemies only weakens your position. They are not your enemies. They are the judges who are gathering information from all sides and then making a determination as to what they think is best. Be professional!

3. Be truthful.
If you are going to provide facts and figures, make sure they're accurate. For example, cabdrivers have good days and cabdrivers have bad days. If a driver testifies and only provides his earnings from his worst days, that driver isn't painting an accurate picture of life as a taxi driver and her or his position will be weakened.

I hope this helps.

George Lutfallah

Re: Advice for tomorrow's fare increase hearing

Can any invidious, groups or organizations post the FLYERS, PRESS RELEASES, or SPEACHES at this site prior of the hearing?

Re: Advice for tomorrow's fare increase hearing

I hope you all have your paper work ready -- meter tape receipts from each trip on a day-to-day basis, daily gas purchase receipts, financial statements -- to PROVE to the City Council that you need a raise.

Honest and accurate records only! Noram can smell a faker a mile away. (How or why? I am not going there, for now!)

Telling them hard luck stories about how you're losing money everyday and you have families to feed does not cut the ice, and besides, the City Law requires this information be provided.

Did anybody put together a US Dept of Commerce report to show the changes in the economy and how it effects drivers?

God luck and Godspeed to all of you, you will need it.

Re: Advice for tomorrow's fare increase hearing

George's advice is excellent.

After 32 years of selling cab drivers' injury claims to Juries, I've learned a few lessons that I'd like to pass along that are going to be useful tomorrow:

1. Treat the committee members like they are your friends. They really are. They want you not to fold up shop and try to do other things for a living. The taxi trade is needed in a city like Chicago, and if facts are presented that are short and sweet - to the point - they will be heard with favor.

2. Treat them like you would somebody you like - you don't have a cup of coffee or a brewski with enemies, so treat them with respect that you would want back. Smile. It's painless. Look them in the eyes as you speak - it's okay to look at notes, but make sure you look at ALL OF THEM in the eyes. Don't neglecct anybody because it goes noticed.

3. Keep it short and stupid - the "KISS" approach works best of all. No point should take more than two sentences. It's good to have facts to back up what you are saying, but don't ramble. You'll lose them.

4. Come with notes about what you want to say - stay with your script - don't stray. Have facts to back up every point you want to make: i.e. the price of gas is now only double what it was at the time of the last fare increase, but economic indicators point to it being three times that price by the end of this year.

Carry it on a bit - The average cab driver getting 14 to the gallon in a Crown Vic on the dayside burns 10 to 12 gallons a shift, and has seen his income go down $15 to $20 per day just on gasoline since the last spike in prices.

Get the point? Keep it short and stupid - just enough so you can be understood by other people who can understand how you are under the gun and need an increase to survive.

Selling your points requires preparation. Don't go in there and expect to speak extempraneously. That means not to shoot from the seat of your pants. Write down what you want to cover. Have facts ready to back up your claims. Don't grind an axe with the committee - just give them the facts, short and sweet.


Donald Nathan

Re: Advice for future's fare increase hearing

"I have a suggestion," said the driver, Larry Meister. "How about, 'You have a right to treat the driver with respect'?"

Seeking the right to a smooth ride
By Matt Viser, Globe Staff | October 24, 2007