WPCNR TAXI STAND. By John F. Bailey. July 19, 2008 UPDATED July 20, 2008 10:35 AM:  Mario Alfonso, White Plains cabbie since 1986,  unofficial spokesperson for the White Plains cab drivers, told WPCNR Saturday  the key demands  White Plains cabbies wanted from the City of White Plains, were a 25% increase in fares, an increase in the $1 gasoline surcharge, more “taxi stands” about the city, and the ability to have pedestrians “hail” cabs.

Asked why the city doesn't take over taxis and run the cab system on a franchise basis, setting vehicle rates, appearances and standards itself, Alfonso said the city does not want the liability issues that come with a city franchise operation.

Cab Jam: The issues were made clear before about fifty  White Plains cabbies attending an International Union of Painters and Allied Trades union-organizing rally today in Delfino Park. 

The meeting was organized by the unofficial leader of the cabbies, Mario Alfonso, of White Plains and featured Michael Carriere of District Council No. 9 who outlined the benefits of the White Plains independent cabbies to join the union. Number one benefit, he said was the health benefit package at union rates, and number two, the services of the IUPAT legal staff in negotiations and  grievances with the city for individual cabbies and the cabbie workforce en masse, with union spokespeople to lobby and negotiate  for their needs with the City of White Plains.

Alfonso , far left,  was joined by Councilman Glen Hockley, center, and Michael Carriere of the District Council Number 9 of the IUPUT who proceeded to outline cabby demands.

Alfonso outlined his own experience: In 1986, when he began driving a cab in the city , the lowest fare was $2 and his health package cost him personally $1,200, which he paid himself. Now 22 years later, the lowest fare is $5, and health benefits are costing $6,000, he said. In 1986 he said he paid $75 a month for health benefits.  Today he pays $440 a month for his health insurance. Asked how he made ends meet, Alfonso said “12 hour work days, 7 days a week.”  He told me he averaged 30 fares a day.

At that rate, a cab driver considering the average fares per trip to be $10  a fare with 3 fares to a cab, (allowed in White Plains) you could conceivably gross $75,000  to $100,000 a year as an independent driver before expenses: gas, car repairs, inspections, and more. For a new driver to start driving a cab in White Plains, though they would have to purchase a taxi medallion which Alfonso said varied from $40,000 to $50,000.

Gypsy Cabs Taking Their Bread and Butter

Alfonso  said they wanted the White Plains police to step up enforcement measures against gypsy cabs which cruise White Plains and steal customers. Alfonso said the police have told the taxi drivers they do not have the officer power to patrol for gypsy cab violators.

Alfonso told the crowd that when he met with the city, the city would ask him what he wanted and what taxi drivers needed, but he felt uncomfortable speaking for all the legal cabdrivers in the city. This is why, he said, joining the union would be good for the drivers. The union would be able to present a united front in a way the city would have to respond and react.

Leverage: To Be Determined Later

WPCNR asked Mr. Carriere, the union head, (since cab drivers were all independent contractors and did not work for a particular company), what leverage the union would have in negotiations with the city to improve the cabbies’ working conditions.

Carriere said the union’s legal team would take up issues the city might have with individual cabbies. Currently cabbies have to pay legal defense themselves.

Asked if the union would work and involve other unions to support cabbie demands if the city balks, Carriere said “If they have to.”

White Plains Taxidrivers were invited to sign up with District 9 from 4 PM to 7 PM on Thursday, July 24  at the Union offices at 14 Sawmill River Road Suite # 2. Cost to join the union is $150, and the initiation fee would be waived.

The Case for Unionization

Carriere told the cabdrivers the union would give them strong representation with the city; work for a safer environment in the workplace; a stronger presence politically locally and with the state; health benefits at low union group rates; retirement plans, and he held out the possibility of lower insurance and gas costs. In a flyer handed out, he stressed to the drivers, without the union, they will not have a voice in the workplace.

He held out the possibilities that White Plains would not give them increases in the gasoline $1 surcharge currently added to fares; would escalate medallion costs, inspection fees, license fees and summons and fines targeted at cabs would be raised.

The flyer said “The city of White Plains will control you and the rates that they want to provide to the public” and “Possibly take away standing locations (train stops, bus stops, shopping centers.”

Limiting Access.

Mr. Alfonso said the city is contemplating limiting cabs at the train station to  10 cabs at any time. Currently during rush hour as many as 30 cabs converge on the station.

Alfonso said the cabdrivers want to cooperate with the police and act as their eyes and ears in the neighborhoods. He suggested to WPCNR the cabdrivers know what is going on in the city and can be a valuable resource.

Carriere, the union representative said there are currently 150 White Plains drivers in the union of the 400 taxicab drivers in the city. He hoped to sign up at least 300, he said.

Glen Hockley was described by Mr. Alfonso as being the only Common Councilperson who sought him out to learn more about the cabdriver needs after he (Alfonso) had outlined some of the issues last year.

Mr. Hockley criticized the city for delaying a taxi study, for which monies had been appropriated,  and regretted not being included on a study committee formed by the Mayor a year ago to “study” the cab situation in the city and report on possibilities to improve both the cab service and the cabdrivers’ lot.

Hockley said the only way to solve problems is to get together and work through them.