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RMT "No to 19"

What a pleasant change to see TAXI newspaper inform the trade that they were "hammering" the rickshaws at the Chelsea flower show.

We should praise good work when we see it done on behalf of the Taxi trade and the RMT London Taxi branch would like to congratulate the LTDA for the good work they did last week at the Chelsea flower show.

Now we would like to publicly ask the LTDA to join the RMT and its London Taxi branch and object to "clause 19" of the London Local Authorities and Transport for London (no.2) Bill.

This bill and specifically "clause 19" will empower local authorities and Transport for London allowing them to appoint/create "bays/ranks" for pedicabs/rickshaws. Oh by the way still waiting to hear from Martin Low re that meeting you promised ?

If this bill which will be represented on the 10th June 2010 progresses through Parliament and becomes law in its present form you and I will be ranking next to rickshaws/pedicabs. So we at the RMT have a very simple question to ask of the LTDA (leaders not followers of the United Trade Group)...if you wish to build on the great work you did at the Chelsea flower show why will you not object to "clause 19" of this bill which will be placed before Parliament?

Remember that rickshaws;

1. offer no impact protection to passengers or riders.
2. discriminate against people in wheelchairs.
3. offer no place for assistance dogs.
4. slow other means and mode of transport and therefore negate any "green" benefit.
5. block the public highway and are a general nuisance in the West End of London.
6. rip passengers and tourists off.
7. rickshaws/pedicabs are a 3rd world method and mode of transport.

We can talk till we are blue in the face about banning rickshaws/pedicabs from the public highway but before we can even attempt to do this we must kick "clause 19" of this bill well and truly into touch. Join the only trade union/association that is prepared to do the work that is needed to protect your hard earned privilege and right to "ply for hire".

JOIN the RMT London taxi branch and save your trade and your families future. www.rmt.org.uk