Do you want to really know why it's so hard to organize cabdrivers? It really is a conspiracy. It's a conspiracy by the city and it is also a conspiracy by taxi drivers themselves. That's why nobody wants to talk about it. That's why you won't read it anywhere.

Forget everything you have ever read about organizing taxi drivers. Here it is:

The city knows it is getting cheap labor with cabdrivers. They know it but they don't want to spoil it so they act stupid and throw us scraps here and there.

But cabdrivers have a conspiracy of their own that that is their dirty little secret. They make cash money that they don't pay taxes on that they send home where that money is worth a fortune. That's why when you look at most people who drive cabs they are from overseas and when you look at most drivers who are involved in organizing, they are disproportionately American.

American drivers detest the standard of living taxi driving brings. But those people don't realize the standard of living taxi driving does bring to the immigrants who drive cabs and send money home.

While everyone wants to make more money, many drivers and the city don't want to disrupt this relationship too much. The ticketing is too much though but the income drivers don't complain about and neither does the city.

If the organizers are successful at bringing "rights" to "taxi drivers" then the taxi driver will make more money but the current people driving cabs will have to find something else to do because the income of drivers will be watched more closely and the current drivers will be displaced by U.S. citizens.

The way it is now, taxi drivers and the city are secretly giving each other the old nod and wink. Many foreign drivers don't want to disrupt the current way things are because they think they have it so good. On a Chicago taxi driver's income you can live like a king in other parts of the world, where many of these drivers plan to return with the relatively big dollars they get from driving a cab.

This is understandably maddening to American drivers who see their pay as minuscule and their working conditions as deplorable.

Hammurabi

there is a lot of truth in what you are saying but there is also a fear factor. drivers are afraid to step forward because they dont know their rights here in America and they are afraid of showing themselves to a foreign government.

Forget the conspiracy. Cabdrivers don't organize because they don't see the benefit to it. All organizers want is our time and money. They get recognition but we get no results.

"All organizers want is our time and money. They get recognition but we get no results."

This was true in the past. But it is the City's fault that little or no results have been achieved to benefit the drivers.

If you "forget the conspiracies" you will have only half the picture.

Today's organizations, such AUPD, CCO, CPTDA, UTCC, etc. do not ask for money. They are, more or less advocacy groups dedicated to break the vicious cycle "City Rule" we have been in for over 40 years.

As far as I know all the time and money these organizations have utilized so far, if any, has come out of their own pockets and individuals sacrificed their time, energy and brains for the common good.

It is not easy to deal with one of the most professional, well-run political machines on earth.

But there will come a time raise some capital and an army of volunteers -- it is the only way these organizations can ever hope to succeed.

Will you help when they call on you?

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Replying to:

Forget the conspiracy. Cabdrivers don't organize because they don't see the benefit to it. All organizers want is our time and money. They get recognition but we get no results.

49285 you wrote 'Will you help when they call on you?'

How have you helped when any of these groups called on you?

I'll add to that. Which of these groups are you a member? Do you support all of them?

In response to:
"How have you helped when any of these groups called on you?"

What about the Ghanaians? None of the groups you mentioned have been successful. The Ghanaians have been successful for years. Are they the "etc." in your list?

In response to the following statements:
"Today's organizations, such AUPD, CCO, CPTDA, UTCC, etc."

In my opinion, the Ghanaian Cabdrivers Association is the model that all taxi driver groups should emulate.

They are humble. They don't don't get caught up in the meaningless politics. Politically, they are very savvy (which can't be emphasized enough). Most of all, they help their members.

George Lutfallah
Chicago Dispatcher

What about the Brotherhood?

How does one join or participate with these groups and what are the differences in them?

I think it's terrific that there are different groups trying to help. There's nothing wrong with a little competition. The best ideas will win.

The City has been "winning" for many years now. Does that mean they have the best ideas?

Actually, yes it does. Their ideas on how to keep us down and divided are better than our ideas on how to keep us strong and united.

When someone comes up with the right ideas on how to get power for drivers that is stronger than the city's ideas on how to keep us down, then you will see real change.

Responding to:
"The City has been "winning" for many years now. Does that mean they have the best ideas?"

Very observant, Mr. Shinto.

Perhaps the right idea can be found in developing a set laws the define rights, duties and remedies and limitations of drivers, owners, fleet operators and the City of Chicago.

A taxi driver Bill of Rights, as it were, defined by Municipal Code.

That's great thinking sir. I really like the idea of a Bill of Rights for cabdrivers. What should be in the Bill of Rights?

For Starters, something like this:

[Proposed]
Title 9, Chapter 112,
Entitled the Chicago Taxicab Driver and Owner Ordinance

9-112-600 Title, Purpose and Scope.

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Taxicab Drivers and Owners Ordinance," and shall be liberally construed and applied to promote its purposes and policies.

It is the purpose of this chapter and the policy of the city, in order to protect and promote the public health, safety and welfare of its citizens, to establish the rights and obligations of the taxi drivers, medallion holders and fleet operators in the operation taxicabs for hire, and to encourage the taxi drivers, medallion holders and fleet operators to maintain and improve the quality of transportation services.

This chapter applies to, regulates and determines rights, obligations and remedies under every taxicab lease agreement entered into or to be performed after the effective date of this chapter, for operation within the city of Chicago and to any destination requested by a passenger, the limitations contained in [MC references to follow] and set forth in applicable [rules and regulations references to follow].

This chapter applies specifically to taxi drivers, owners and fleet operators in the operation of taxicabs to the extent that this chapter is not in direct conflict with State and Federal laws or statutory or regulatory provisions governing the operation of vehicles for hire.

9-112-600 Definitions.

Whenever used in this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:

a. "Taxicab" means a vehicle that is used as for hire by one or more persons who are licensed chauffeurs, together with the taxi mater, GPS or radio dispatch equipment and appurtenant equipment, thereto, and all affiliation services, privileges, furnishings and facilities supplied in connection with the use of operation thereof, including garage and parking facilities.

b. "Fleet Operator" means the owner, leasing agent, or the successor in interest of any of them, of a licensed vehicle for hire.

c. "Owner" means one or more persons, jointly or severally, in whom is vested all or part of the legal title the vehicle for hire, or all or part of the beneficial ownership and a right to present use and enjoyment of the vehicle for hire.

d. Affiliation” means an association of public passenger vehicle license holders organized and incorporated for the purpose of providing its members with a Chicago business address, telephone number registered to the affiliation, color scheme where applicable, a trade name or emblem where applicable, a two-way radio dispatch system, insurance and the designation of an authorized registered agent. Members of an affiliation shall be known as “affiliates”.

The ultimate goal of such an ordinance is to establish an equitable system of management and administration that is "driven" [pardon the pun!} from the bottom up, as opposed to the current "top down" rule by declaration of the city.