Thursday, July 26, 2007

Cab drivers threaten strike over GPS systems - May causes difficulty in cheating tourists


NEW YORK - A trade body representing more than 8,000 New York taxi drivers is threatening to call a strike over the city's plans to introduce satellite positioning systems in every yellow cab.
Bhairavi Desai, executive director of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, told AFP Wednesday that drivers considered the proposals put forward by the city's Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) infringed on their rights.
"Taxi drivers sometimes use the cars in their private time. Why should they tell the TLC where they are going on a Sunday with their family? This is an invasion of privacy," she said.
"We are ready to go on strike at no notice in September if the TLC doesn't cancel its plans to install a GPS in each vehicle," she added. The alliance represents some 8,400 of New York's 26,000 taxi drivers. MagazineLane.com