Only One Trade Org In Support, As TfL Fail To Attend KoL Seminar At City Hall...by Grant Davis

Sean Paul Day with Coutney Connell, David Kurten and LCDC Chairman Grant Davis.

I was very happy to attend the Knowledge of London seminar yesterday at City Hall. 

There were the likes of LondonTaxiPR, LTR, Taxiapp, MyTaxi, and many others all there for one reason, to discuss the knowledge. 

Unfortunately the LCDC were the only trade org in attendance, which I found depressing, if not disgusting if I am honest.

But the icing on the cake was the absence of our Regulator Transport for London (TfL).

The opportunity to discuss the knowledge -which is the bedrock of our industry- with the Trade should be above ‘politics’ and Tfl should most definitely been there.

There were guest speakers including Dean from Wizann, Michael Galvin and also Frances Wyhowska. 

On a real positive note, David Kurten has asked LCDC member, Courtney Connell to address the GLA regarding the plight of the knowledge.

There will be an update in the next edition of the Badge.

TAXI LEAKS EXTRA BIT : 

It's unbelievably shocking that only one trade org bothered to attend the Knowledge of London seminar, which is the life blood of the trade. Our largest org gets early access to knowledge students from which they increase their membership and yet chose not to attend the discussion on the future of the Knowledge???

We were told by WizAnn that the drop out rate at their Knowledge school is now running at an all time high of 75%. Not only should TfLTPH been in attendance, but there should have been one rep from every representative taxi group. 

Lenny Etheridge said: Many KoL students attend demos and give the trade support. They don't see the proactive fight as negativity. There's plenty of happy slappy tweets on Twitter that motivate them. The word I get from knowledge boys and girls is positive. They are extremely grateful SOMEONE is fighting their corner

When TfL turn around and say....we are not paying examiners to do nothing and as there are so few knowledge students we will be suspending the Knowledge until further notice.....it will be too late!!!

Below are the interviews recorded after the seminar by London Taxi Radio.

Sean Paul Day chats to Grant Davis (The LCDC), Terry Gibbins (photographer), Lee Sheppard (LondonTaxiPR) and Matt the Cab (LCDC committee), after the event at City Hall.

Taxi Leaks Extra Comment : 

It's also been alleged that Unite Taxi branch representatives refused to attend yesterday's meeting solely on the basis that it was chaired by a UKIP Councillor.....so while the trade is fighting for its life, Are Unite playing at politics, instead of representing our best interests?

A brief history of trade representation:

Forerunner to Unite were the Transport and General Workers Union, who were representing the Taxi trade so badly that a meeting was arranged and the LTDA was formed. 

(Sort of out of the frying pan into the fire!!!)

Because the lack of fight and poor leadership from the LTDA, the RMT was formed, but they never really got off the ground...just another politically bias group?

Members who were slung out of the RMT, formed the most militant group ever seen in the trade... the original UCG were amazing but after a change of leadership, wanting to be inside tent looking out rather than ioutside looking in, has seen them become a mere shadow of their former self.

 

Still going strong are the old Metro Owners Club who formed the London Cab Drivers Club (LCDC) 

Their chairman Grant Davis was the only trade rep in attendance yesterday, just remember that the next time your subs are due.

Audio Player