WPCNR TAXI STAND. By John F. Bailey. July 30, 2008: Mike Carriere of the District 9 International Union of Painters and Allied Trades announced to WPCNR Tuesday that his signup of White Plains taxi drivers for union membership “went well, had a nice turnout,” and the union was “pretty close” to signing up the majority of the 400 licensed White Plains cabbies. He officially declared his union the negotiating agent for his drivers with the City of White Plains Taxi Commission.
Michael Carriere, far right, of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, shown addressing White Plains Cab Drivers, July 19 at an organization rally. He is shown with Mario Alfonso and Councilman Glen Hockley. Carriere announced the IUPAT was now the official negotiator for the White Plains taxi drivers.
Melissa Lopez, spokesperson for the Mayor’s Office, told WPCNR Wednesday morning the city did not officially recognize the IUPAT union as the official negotiator at this time. Asked if the city would recognize the union when approached with appropriate credentials, she said she would have to check further with city officials.
Carriere said that Councilman Glen Hockley would be approaching the Mayor on the union’s behalf to set up “a sitdown” with the Mayor city to discuss the issues. Carriere said a gas tax surcharge increase was number one on the list. Currently with gas prices floating between $4.27 and $4.36 for regular gasoline in the city, and cabbies currently receiving a $1 surcharge, Mr. Carriere indicated the drivers need a higher surcharge. Other issues on the table were preventing city cab inspection fees from rising, limitation of number of cabs, and more taxi stands in addition to the surcharge and gypsy cab issues.
“We want a sitdown with them (the city) to see where they stand, now that the members are under a collective bargaining agreement,” Carriere told WPCNR.
Asked how the union would address cab driver appearance, cabbie display of medallions, and general protocol issues that the city has criticized cabbies for in the past, Carriere said the union would police those issues and exert influence on cabbies to meet city standards. “We will start stepping it up (the appearance issue, workrules) with our members,” he said.
He said an increased gasoline surcharge was the number issue “without a doubt.” He disputed the city notion that gypsy cabs (unlicensed operators serving the city illegally) were not a big problem.
He said there was no target date for a meeting with the Mayor. He said drivers signup with the union again this week at the 14 Saw Mill River Road offices.
