DRIVE NOW June 2021

Northern Ireland firms unable to
meet demand
Taxi firms have said a shortage of new drivers, combined with people
leaving the industry, has left them unable to meet demand.
by Richard Morgan
OVERSEAS news
NORTHERN IRELAND – Official
figures show the number of
registered taxi drivers in Northern
Ireland has fallen by a third in
five years. The pandemic has
exacerbated the issue.
Northern Ireland’s largest taxi
firm said it has 400 fewer drivers
compared to before the pandemic.
Stephen Anton, communications
manager at Fonacab, said there
needs to be more incentives for
drivers to join the sector.
“Now that we have come out of
lockdown the amount of bookings
has grown more rapidly than the
amount of drivers returning.”
“Some drivers have yet to return
and we’ve had some say they’ll
wait for their second jab or for
social-distancing rules to be
relaxed.”
He added: “Others have left the
industry and have just retired,
while some have gone to different
driving jobs or where they could
find the work.”
“The major issue is at the
weekends because demand is
higher and because we aren’t
seeing a leap in drivers working.
It’s a stretch to cover the work
that is there.”
“I think from a public perspective,
it’s a little bit embarrassing. We
are the biggest taxi firm and
whenever we can’t do what our
customers expect from us we are
as disappointed as they are.”
“We would like to see some sort
of restart package to either help
drivers back into the industry or
to make it easier for drivers to join
the industry,” Mr Anton said.
Seattle is first US city to implement
gig economy labor standards
thereby protecting drivers from unwarranted terminations.
SEATTLE – On July 1, Uber and
Lyft drivers will become the
first gig workers in the nation to
benefit from legal protections
against unwarranted termination
when the City’s groundbreaking
Deactivation Rights Ordinance is
implemented.
Also, Seattle’s Drivers Union,
under contract with City of Seattle
Office of Labor Standards, will
launch new support services
to help drivers. Drivers Union
support services for Uber/Lyft
drivers will include consultation
and support services and direct
legal representation for drivers.
Drivers Union and Teamsters Local
117 led the organising campaign to
win groundbreaking deactivation
protections, paid sick days during
the pandemic, and a minimum
wage under the City’s Fare Share
Plan.
“Courageous immigrant workers
have led an eight-year campaign
for fair pay, fair working
conditions, and a voice at work,”
said John Scearcy, Secretary-
Treasurer of Local 117.
“Around the country, other
workers who have been denied
justice will surely look to learn
from the success of Seattle’s Uber
and Lyft drivers and their union.”
www.drivenow-magazine.com.au
June 2021
37