Deposits collected from taxi companies

Yesterday, though I was ill I walked over to city hall, SFMTA, and phoned the city attorneys office. I was told by Charles Bolton who works in Supervisor Jane Kims Office that he would call me back today. Surprise no call back from the Supervisors office regarding my issue, that I share with many in the taxi industry. I did leave a message at her office. I will let you know if I get a call in the future, but I can tell you it has been my experience that I am waiting for calls back from previous issues I brought to her office since she was elected.

I did however get an email back from the SFMTA investigator assigned to the case today. I will share it later.

Otherwise I have not heard back from Chris Hyashi regarding the obnoxious smelling cabs at National Cab Company.

Is it Illegal for taxi companies to collect deposits from drivers, and is there any enforcement.

On Wednesday November 30th, 2011, I sent an email over to the MTA Board of directors, Chris Hyashi Associate director of taxi services at SFMTA, The email was as follows:

I am seeking my 500.00 deposit back to me that I was forced to pay when I started working for National Cab Company in 2008. I would also like to see National Cab Company ordered to stop collecting Deposits from their drivers prior to start working. National cab company forces drivers to pay 5.00 per shift until they reach the 500.00 for a deposit. I paid this deposit and when I was fired after letting the general manager Jesus Portillo and Dan Hinds know that I have restrictions and became temporarily disabled because of a car accident that happened while I was driving a cab, they refused to give my 500.00 dollar deposit back to me.

I looked further into this matter and found that there was a court case in 1996 that prohibits cab companies in San Francisco in collecting a deposit from there drivers.

The 1996 ruling in Joseph Tracy vs. Yellow Cab barred cab companies from demanding security deposits from drivers. The order, issued by Judge William Cahill of the San Francisco Superior Court, "permanently enjoins the defendant [Yellow Cab], from classifying plaintiffs and similarly situated drivers as independent contractors for purpose of denying such drivers any benefit under California law with respect to workers' compensation, unemployment insurance, and paying a cash bond to defendants as a condition of driving a taxicab."

In addition National Cab Company refused to give me information and submit a claim to their Workers Compensation Carrier in 2009 and 2010 after accidents that were not my fault. There is a pattern where National Cab Company Dispatchers tells drivers that if they file a Workers Compensation Claim they will be fired! Workers Compensation information is not provided where it is accessible to the driver, and when you ask the company tells you that they do not have workers compensation.

Please advise if you can assist with what I consider a serious matter of workers compensation and unlawfully collecting deposits from drivers.

Today December 1st I decided to go over to city hall to find out who may help with this issue.

The first stop was at Supervisor Jane Kims Office. What a change when I walked through the front door. Everything looked so organized and nothing was hanging on the walls. I spoke with Charles Bolton who seemed very knowledgeable and willing to assist with this matter. He assured me he would make a call over to the SFMTA, I will be checking back Friday to see if that was done.

After I left Jane Kims office I walked over to the Mayor Ed Lees office and spoke with one of the desk clerks, who metioned I should go to the city attorneys office.

I did make it over to the city attorneys office where I was met with a friendly receptionist and knowledgeable too. I was placed in contact with Mariam Morley at the city attorneys office. I had a very interesting conversation with her over the phone. This is one of the reasons I found San Francisco a wonderful city for about 12 years now. People were friendly and helpful.

I then went over to the SFMTA and met with Eric Richholt, investigator for taxi services. He mentioned the issue had already been sent over to him. Eric and I spoke for a little while then he brought me to the class where Chris Hyashi was working with of new drivers and retraining. I had a brief moment to speak to her. I expressed once again to her about the deposits, odors and smells that are damaging to the drivers health by a lack of maintenance to the taxi vehicles.

The poor taxi drivers are low income individuals where every penny counts. Taxi drivers in San Francisco are under represented but yet millions are extracted from their pockets yearly through permits, fines, and tactics from cab companies.

Dean Clark
If you have anything you want to speak to me about regarding this issue please call me at
Phone 415-240-2433

1996 ruling in Joseph Tracy vs. Yellow Cab

The 1996 ruling in Joseph Tracy vs. Yellow Cab barred cab companies from demanding security deposits from drivers. The order, issued by Judge William Cahill of the San Francisco Superior Court, "permanently enjoins the defendant [Yellow Cab], from classifying plaintiffs and similarly situated drivers as independent contractors for purpose of denying such drivers any benefit under California law with respect to workers' compensation, unemployment insurance, and paying a cash bond to defendants as a condition of driving a taxicab."

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MTA Board approved the two taxi items on its agenda

Yesterday, the MTA Board approved the two taxi items on its agenda: an additional 40 cents on the flag drop, and 87 more cabs. As a result, a meter increase bringing the flag drop to $3.50 and the distance and waiting time to 55 cents a click should go into effect around the beginning of September. The new cabs will probably take longer, especially if there is an appeal to the Board of Appeals (which seems likely).

The cab decision was exactly as had been proposed: 25 full-time medallions to the list; 10 full-time medallions to be sold directly by the MTA; a trial program for 50 single-operator permits (which could, however, have two operators); and aqn experiment with 2 battery-switchable electric vehicles.

Cab companies were out in force opposing the proposal for more cabs. Not that they were trying to save their drivers from added competition -- quite the contrary. Yellow, Luxor and DeSoto management have been pushing for 500 more cabs, with the permits going to companies rather than drivers. They want to kill single-operator permits because they can't make money from them, and because the SOPs (?) stand in the way of the corporate medallions companies want.

In my mind, these part-time permits are far preferable to full-time medallions. They'll be on the streets only about 1/3 the time, so they won't be hurting drivers during the slowest hours. There are some controversial aspects to the idea, however. The permits are to go to the most senior drivers in the industry, circumventing the list. The hours of operation will be flexible, which will best serve the public, but enforcement may be a problem. Retirement for permit holders is an open question. And, most ominously, a monthly lease fee will be charged for the permits. The fee can be reduced or eliminated by taking dispatched orders, but it sets a bad precedent, and creates a swamp of micro-regulation where the MTA is going to have to count every dispatch call these cabs take (or, more likely, rely on someone else's count). Nonetheless, I still believe this is better than hundreds of full-time permits in company hands. It's a trial program, so if parts of it turn out to be unfair or unworkable, they could be changed. And if the whole idea turns out to be a bust, it will go away.

Also ominous is the direct sale of 10 medallions by the MTA. At $250,000 apiece, the agency will pocket $2,375,000, with the balance of $125,000 going to the Driver Fund. This is a brand new source of revenue for the MTA. Up to now, the agency has directly sold only existing medallions returned to it after death or revocation. In light of the MTA's chronic financial problems, these 10 new medallions are only a hint of what is likely to come -- unless we do something about it, which we must. The MTA has a conflict of interest between its regulatory duties and its financial interests that cannot be allowed to stand.

Although the hearing lasted over an hour, driver turnout was not as robust as at previous meetings. It seemed that about half the public speakers were from cab companies. Maybe fatigue has set in.

The vote of the Board approving the cab proposal was 6-1. The "no" vote was cast by former Taxi Commissioner Bruce Oka. It appears the cab companies convinced him to take their side.

MTA staff did not discuss credit cards or electronic waybills at the meeting.

Mark Gruberg

United Taxicab Workers

Support Taxi Drivers Pin - San Francisco Taxi Advocate

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This is Rich: The SFMTA Would Like Your 'Feedback' In Re: Nat Ford's Replacement

Former Muni executive director Nat Ford has finally left the building with his $384,000 golden parachute, and with this news we were both relieved and disgusted. Debra Johnson, meanwhile, who was formerly Director of Administration, Taxis and Accessible Services, is serving as interim executive director until a new hire is made by the SFMTA board, on a schedule they've yet to announce. But, trying to play nice given what horrible press they've gotten — and given, ahem, what a majorly mismanaged organization they are with trains that have a penchant for breaking down during rush hour a couple of times a week — they're seeking some public commentary at this time. In other words, you now have a chance to make your opinions heard, via a handy online survey, about who they should hire as the next person to direct the agency and incur our wrath.

The survey is here. It's entirely unclear how big an impact this survey will have or whether this is just them going through the motions before appointing Ed Reiskin to the job. And we just started taking the survey and we're already unleashing our anger in the write-in, "Other" option on the first question, which is "In your opinion, what is the single most important task for the new ED/CEO?", with choice A being "Maintain quality service."

To which we angrily reply, in D) Other : How can one "maintain quality service" when current service is so infrequently of any "quality." How about creating a higher standard of quality service, improving on-time performance, and eventually reaching that 85% on-time goal??

Yeah, anyway, it's better than attending a public meeting. Those things are horrible.

http://sfist.com/2011/07/12/this_is_rich_the_sfmta_would_like_y.php

Mayor Outlines SFMTA Chief Qualifications as List of Candidates Narrows

Mayor Outlines SFMTA Chief Qualifications as List of Candidates Narrows

by Bryan Goebel on July 13, 2011

Mayor Lee on SFGov TV during question and answer time yesterday.

The future CEO and executive director of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) should be a visionary who can focus on implementing a labor agreement with transit operators, improve Muni reliability, make more taxis available, focus on pedestrian safety and expand bike facilities, Mayor Ed Lee told the Board of Supervisors yesterday.

“There is not just one person that can lead the MTA. It’s got to be a very dedicated team. I also want to make sure that the person exhibits a high level of collaboration,” Lee said during question and answer time. He was responding to a question from District 4 Supervisor Carmen Chu.

Lee’s mention of Muni centered around meeting on-time performance, a feat that has seemed impossible since San Francisco voters first passed the 85 percent on-time mandate in 1999. He mentioned the labor agreement first and reliability and on-time performance second.

“Even the on-time performance is not just Muni alone. There are so many other entities that affect the streets,” he said. “We also want to make sure that someone has the ability and the willingness to…build relationships with everybody and strong relationships with its own workforce.”

This week, SFMTA Chair Tom Nolan, who has said that he would prefer someone local, began sifting through the resumes of more than 30 people who have applied for the job since the agency begin accepting applications three weeks ago. Ed Reiskin, the head of the Department of Public Works, is seen as the inside favorite, but sources told Streetsblog that Transportation Authority Executive Director José Luis Moscovich, SFMTA Transit Director John Haley and Acting SFMTA Chief Debra Johnson have also applied for the job.

The SFMTA Board is charged with naming the head of the agency, but no doubt the Mayor will exercise significant influence. Nolan told Streetsblog that directors have given him the authority to narrow the list of candidates, and he expects that up to four top picks will be interviewed in closed session at the board’s regular meeting Tuesday. However, Nolan said directors will not vote on a candidate at that time, but would aim to have someone in place by September 1.

“We have to do some kind of background checks on people, especially if we don’t know the person, and also references. And then there’s the matter of negotiations. We might pick someone who we think is just wonderful and that person might have a different idea of what the compensation should be,” said Nolan, who predicted the salary “won’t be cheap,” and should be comparable to what transit directors are making at other agencies.

SFDPW Chief Ed Reiskin is seen as the inside favorite to head the SFMTA. Photo: San Francisco Water

Former CEO Nat Ford, who was asked to leave the agency July 1 after a five-year stint, was among the city’s highest-paid employees, earning more than $300,000 a year. He was given a $384,000 severance package, which was blasted as a golden parachute by several critics, including State Senator and mayoral candidate Leland Yee.

The speedy process of picking Ford’s replacement has drawn scrutiny from Supervisor John Avalos, who feels things are moving too quickly. In an interview with Streetsblog, Avalos said there should be a more robust public discussion about what kind of person “we want to see in there.” He thinks Reiskin is a “great public servant” but that other candidates should be given serious consideration.

“I don’t just want him to be considered as the heir apparent. I think there should be a process and it should be a thorough process and one that is at the national level,” Avalos said. “I’m not sure we’re giving it enough time to make that happen.”

Nolan said he is consulting with several transit advocates and community groups, and has asked for feedback from a broad spectrum of people, including Avalos and his colleagues on the Board of Supervisors.

“We’ve invited all kinds of stakeholders to tell us what they think. We’ve sent out a fairly elaborate questionnaire to all MTA employees, to a number of the interest groups,” including the San Francisco Bike Coalition, Walk SF, disabled and senior groups, and others, said Nolan. There’s also an online “employee and stakeholder survey.”

District 8 Supervisor Scott Wiener said given the uncertainty at the SFMTA, it was better that the board make a decision as soon as possible.

“I’m not saying rush at the expense of having the best candidate you can have, but I think there are a number of very good candidates that have surfaced and in my view the sooner the better,” he said.

http://sf.streetsblog.org/2011/07/13/mayor-outlines-sfmta-chief-qualifications-as-list-of-candidates-narrows/

A taxi driver was robbed at knifepoint

A taxi driver was robbed at knifepoint in San Francisco's Lower Pacific Heights neighborhood early this morning, police said.

The robbery occurred shortly before 1:50 a.m. near the intersection of Sutter and Baker streets.

The driver, a 70-year-old man, had picked up the suspect and driven him to that intersection, according to police.

When they arrived there, the suspect pulled out a knife, put it to the driver's throat and demanded money, police said.

The victim complied, and the suspect, described only as a man in his 50s, got out of the cab and fled with the cash, according to police.

The taxi driver was not injured in the robbery.

Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to call the Police Department's anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444 or send a tip by text message to TIP411.

Dan McMenamin, Bay City News

San Francisco Taxi Driver Ripped off by Ramp Taxi Class

I went to a Taxi Ramp School held by Cheryl from Damico Consulting on June 4th, 2011.

I was told in advance that the class would be from 12:00 noon until 4:00 p.m. which I stayed the whole period of time. I also paid a 75.00 fee for the class when I first got to class. I needed this class for employment purposes. At the end of the class a final exam was given to each student. I finished the exam. I asked Cheryl what to do because I had to go to work. Cheryl and her assistant said that I would have to stay even though the class is over. I waited until almost 4:20 (Twenty Minutes after the class ended) and just had to go work, I have a family to feed. I handed my exam to Harold Miller who was taking the class at the same time as I.

About 5:00 p.m. I called and spoke with Harold and asked him if I passed the San Francisco Ramp Taxi Class, he told me no. I called to speak to Cheryl the instructor about the exam and the class. Cheryl told me that she would not grade my exam although I stayed the expected time and paid the 75.00 for the certificate and class. Cheryl was rude to me on the phone and said she did not have time to speak to me about this issue. Cheryl than handed over the phone to her assistant, I could hear her and her assistant in the back ground. The assistant said he does not want to talk to me and called me a MORON. Very unprofessional. Cheryl got back on the phone than offered I could come back to the class and "do her" for 25.00 dollars, or if I wanted I could come back at 11:00 a.m. but it would cost me more. Cheryl spoke with Syam the person I was going to work for and told my potential employer I have an attitude problem.

I am very frustrated speaking with Cheryl, and feel like she only wants more money from me. We had a problem like this in the industry once before in San Francisco with another instructor for taxis. He ended up in jail and indicted on fraud charges. I wish some government agency would assist the cab drivers in San Francisco from this type of unscrupulous activity. Please help with this issue.

As for the class itself, I am a credentialed teacher in the State of California by the way and drive taxi to supplement my income because my spouse is out of work. The content of the class was great and I learned a lot.

Cheryl did not have a class room policy sheet nor nothing hanging up on the walls, No agenda was provided for the students, and no class expectations or check list of things you must complete for the class. If Cheryl would have had these things there would have been no misunderstanding of what needs to be done in class. I am concerned that I am being penalized when I really needed to start work with Syam for something that is out of my control. I simply want my certificate that I feel I earned.

I was at the class for 4 1/2 hours, did the practical application part and completed the final exam. I would like a certificate from Cheryl Damico:

Damico Consulting & Training

1405 Birchwood Ct
San Francisco, CA
941 34
(415) 333-6965

A photo of Cheryl who teaches the class: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1417235870

Notice is hereby given that the SFMTA Board will consider whether to issue up to 125 taxi permits (medallions),

Per Transportation Code Section 1115 and 1121, Notice is hereby given that the SFMTA Board will consider whether to issue up to 125 taxi permits (medallions), which may be designated as any combination of electric taxi vehicle permits, part-time permits, peak time permits, single operator permits, full-time transferable medallions or full-time non-transferable medallions, at its regular meeting of June 21, 2011.


Mark Gruberg
mark1106@att.net

WHEN CAB DRIVERS JOINED AND PROTESTED

WHEN CAB DRIVERS JOINED AND PROTESTED,
CAB DRIVERS STOPPED $4 CHARGE FOR SHORTS.
CAB DRIVERS STOPPED %5 CREDIT/DEBIT CHARGE.
NOW THE BIGGEST LOST TO CAB DRIVERS IS ELECTRONIC WAYBILL.
JOIN FORCES AGAIN TO DEFEAT IT. YOU WOULD NOT LIKE MAKING ½ OF THE MINIMUM WAGE. DO NOT END UP LIKE NEW YORK CAB DRIVERS.
Wednesday June 1st, Monday June 6th, Wednesday June 8th 1-4 and 6-9 PM, at 1 S. Van Ness 2nd floor.
CHC-SF@LIVE.COM CAB DRIVERS HELPING CAB DRIVERS (C.H.C.) 415-626-TAXIC

A lot of the cab drivers want to be separated from the SFMTA

In response to the article in the Examiner:

http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/2011/05/san-francisco-cab-fares-could-hit-new-record

Dr Gonzo you are correct. A lot of the cab drivers want to be separated from the SFMTA, we can not achieve this without public support. Come join the protest planned at 12:00 noon on May 17th (Tuesday). As a cab driver I put in almost 66.00 in gas last night, when I started in 2004 the same car the gas would have cost 23.00. That's an increase out of my pocket of 43.00 just to drive people around the city per shift. In addition cab cab companies have received a few rental increases meaning more money in there pockets, and while SFMTA got 9 million and some change last year alone from the San Francisco Taxi Industry.

Let me respond to DRF, and Davidd8000. Both of you should maybe find alternate transportation methods (that in fact would lower our costs of operation). We do not have control over some of the issues you bring to light. In fact your ignorance of the issues are displayed in your comments. The SFMTA will continue to milk the drivers and passengers of money unless the public understands the issues and supports the drivers in their efforts. The drivers need the increase because we don't make a lot of money driving a cab and are for the city of San Francisco intention call us Independent contractors. There are existing charges the drivers pay that are no longer necessary by the cab companies. The cab drivers have asked for the removal of these charges but the SFMTA said it is hard to take back something they have given to the cab companies. If the charges I speak of were removed from the cab companies we might not need a drastic increase. The drivers are not the problem here folks. The greed of the SFMTA and the Cab Companies is overwhelming. But yet I see comments on here that indicate it is the drivers fault. The driver has no control over our rising costs. Maybe some frustration should be directed to the appropriate places.

As for tipping, people do not tip at appropriate levels here in San Francisco for the cab drivers. DRF if you would have been tipping in the first place because of the high gas prices we would not be asking for the increase!

Once again the SFMTA makes over 9 Million fromt he taxi industry and yet the San Francisco Taxi Drivers do not have:

Health Insurance

Pension

Safe work environments

Drivers in some cases are not covered by insurance while they drive and are excluded from the cab companies insurance including unisured motorist

SFMTA neglects enforcing we have air bags in taxi's to protect the driver and passengers.

The frustration should be directed at the SFMTA and Cab Companies for being so greedy!

San Francisco Taxi Industry needs Safety Inspections of Taxi's

This is in response to the cab driver accident in San Diego. I think city Governments and the State of California needs to start looking at the practices of cab companies around the state and there local areas to ensure cab driver safety and passenger safety. I have driven a cab in San Francisco for many years and when I worked for Arrow Cab company a number of years ago when owned by Speck Cab Company. The brakes would fail, smell from burning oil would fill the cab and burn my chest. The City Governments and State Government has a responsibility to ensure our safety in the taxis instead of trying to blame the driver when an accident occurs. How about actually doing the safety checks on these taxi, and taking serious when a taxi driver reports a problem with a company when there is an issue with the car.

5% Credit Card Fees for San Francisco Taxi Drivers

San Francisco Cab Drivers on Slow nights average a take home wage of less than the minimum wage in San Francisco, but yet are asked to pay for the higher gas prices and now additional 5 % in credit card fees for transactions where the rider wants to use a credit card. The SFMTA at a town hall meeting wants to investigate passing the cost of credit card transactions to the customer, the driver, or the cab company. In the meanwhile when the SFMTA has brought in 9 million and some change from the taxi drivers in the last year. Why not have the SFMTA pay for the credit card fees, after all they mandated that San Francisco Taxis take credit cards in the first place. Just a thought.

Discussion At First SFMTA Taxi Town Hall Grows Heated

The first of several scheduled San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency taxi town hall meetings this week and next started heated as several dozen cab drivers, cab company owners and SFMTA officials discussed taxi issues from credit card fees to meter rate increases.

The meeting covered topics including use of credit cards in taxis, credit card transaction fees, implementation of backseat payment terminals in cabs, and fare increases.

The meeting focused on who should pay credit card fees, with SFMTA Deputy Director for Taxi Services Chris Hayashi outlining three options: cab drivers, cab companies, or passengers. Another key issue was the 5 percent credit card fee drivers are absorbing when passengers use plastic.

Hayashi said the SFMTA implemented the 5 percent credit card fee with a third party that processes the cards, VeriFone, as a driver protection. Drivers can hire their own merchant accounts, but the SFMTA wanted to prevent cab companies from directly collecting on any credit card fees, she said.

Hansu Kim, president and owner of DeSoto Cab Company, refuted claims that the cab companies are making money off advertisements on backseat credit card terminals.

Instead, he said his company has decided to use the backseat terminals to help drivers earn more tips with the credit card machine's tip prompter.

"I'm wary to eliminate something that could give drivers more money," Kim said.

Saam Aram, who has driven a cab for 20 years, passed out paperwork at the meeting proposing to form a new taxi commission that would end the SFMTA's involvement in taxi services in San Francisco, according to the group Cabbies Helping Cabbies.

"I've been coming to SFMTA meetings for over a year," Aram said.

"There has been no action."

Green Cab driver Brad Newsham spoke at the meeting, despite what he said was his frustration that the town hall meetings were being held too late in the decision-making process.

"(The credit card) policy went in effect some time in the past few weeks," Newsham said. "(SFMTA) should have the meeting before implementing the policy."

Sasha Lekach, Bay City News

Join the discussion at : http://sfappeal.com/news/2011/05/discussion-at-first-sfmta-taxi-town-hall-grows-heated.php

Message from Mark Gruberg UTW

The outrage over the MTA's decision to stick cab drivers with 5% processing fees for credit charges is enormous. 5% is far more than other vendors pay for this service, and basides, these charges should be the responsibility of cab companies, not drivers.

Drivers are also upset by the prospect of electronic waybills and moinitoring. Where will the information be stored? Who will have access to it? And for what purposes? What safeguards will be put in place to ensure the security of the information and the privacy of its contents? We've gotten no answers from Big Brother. But if this goes through, we know he'll be watching.

The enormous protest that took place at last week's MTA meeting -- drivers by the hundreds circling City Hall in a solid line around the block, and providing two hours of public comment -- shows that we are not going to take these decision lying down.

In response to the protests, the MTA has set up Town Hall meetings on May 10, 11 and 16. I've attached the schedule. (The issue of electronic waybills has been taken off the agenda for these meetings because, the MTA says, it will come up at a later time.) While it's likely that these meetings have been arranged to tap off some of the anger and give the impression that the MTA is listening, it's worthwhile to attend nonetheless, if only to keep up the pressure and continue to drive home our message.

The most important meeting, however, will be the MTA Board meeting of May 17. At that time, the Board will be taking up long-overdue meter increase as well as the credit card issue.

Except for one 25-cent hike in the flag drop a few years back, we haven't had a meter increase since January 2003 -- that is, in over eight years. In the meantime, gates, gas and the cost of living have all increased substantially. (Gas prices were $1.69 a gallon in January 2003!) Now, at last, they seem willing to go ahead with an increase, probably because they think it will cool drivers' anger and divert their attention from the other issues. We should have none of that. We deserve a meter increase AND relief from credit card charges AND excessive government intrusion into our workday (and worknight) lives. As many drivers said at the last hearing, if you're going to control us as if we are your employees, we want the rest of the package -- higher income, job benefits, better working conditions and a say over the terms of our employment.

The taxi portion of the MTA meeting is going to take place at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17, in City Hall, Room 400. EVERYBODY -- and I mean EVERYBODY -- must show up. We will be living with the decisions made at this meeting for years to come.

This is a defining moment in our industry and our jobs. Drivers are sick and tired of the second-hand treatment we get from our regulators, who see us mainly as cash cows for Muni's budget problems. It's time we fought back -- and NOW is the time.

I'm attaching a flyer about the upcoming meetings. Pass it on to other drivers. Post it at your garage. And above all, COME AND SPEAK YOUR MIND BEFORE THE MTA.

Mark Gruberg

United Taxicab Workers

a new TAXI COMMISION, ending SFMTA’S authority over taxi industry

This initiative measure will be submitted to the people in accordance with the
provisions of Article II, Section 8, of the California Constitution.
2011
PROPOSED LAW: to form a new TAXI COMMISION, ending SFMTA’S
authority over taxi industry.
Section 1. Name: This act shall be known as the “TAXI INDUSTRY ACT OF 2011”.
Section 2. Findings, Intent and Purposes: This act, adopted by the people of the City
and County of San Francisco, makes the following Findings, Statement of Intent, and
Purpose:
A. Findings
1. In San Francisco, taxi industry (taxi companies and taxi drivers) are independent
and self-employed. They neither are a part of the government nor are they
government employees. Taxi industry is not treated as such by SFMTA.
2. No one is perfect that is why pencils have erasers. That is why we have
constitutional rights of privilege against self-incrimination. That is why no business
allows government to decide for them and control their every move. Taxi industry is
not treated as such by SFMTA.
3. Taxi industry, mostly, have requested not to have its personal information (and
customers’ personal information) collected in some computer(s). Other businesses
had, and have, this right but Taxi industry is not treated as such by SFMTA.
C. Purposes: To bring freedom, which any other industry enjoys, to San Francisco taxi
industry; this in turn benefits taxi riders.
B. Intent: To reform taxi industry laws in San Francisco by replacing SFMTA’s control over
taxi industry with the new Taxi Commission.
Section 3. Implement:
1. Be it enacted that, 60 days after the passage of this proposition, the SFMTA will cease
to exercise all regulatory functions pertaining to taxicabs in San Francisco. Oversight
and regulation of the taxi industry will fall under the jurisdiction of the newly instituted
Taxi Commission, which will have independence from the Mayor and from the
SFMTA, but will be accountable to the Board of Supervisors and voters of San
Francisco.
This initiative measure will be submitted to the people in accordance with the
provisions of Article II, Section 8, of the California Constitution.
2011
2. All revenue, currently being collected and channeled to the city government by the
SFMTA, will instead be directed through the Taxi Commission. It is from this
money that Taxi Commission will be funded.
3. The Taxi Commission will consist of seven members: One appointed by the Mayor,
two appointed by the Board of Supervisors, one representative of senior
organizations, one representative of the taxicab companies, one taxi medallion
holder/driver, and one non-medallion holder driver. I do not know how the last four
should be chosen, but they should not be political appointees, nor should they stand
for election for a public office.
4. The Taxi Commissioners should serve for one six-year term, which is not
repeatable. The terms should be staggered so they do not all expire at once.
5. A member of the Taxi Commission cannot be removed except by the vote of seven
Supervisors and only for egregious criminality.
6. Members of the Taxi Commission will be paid an annual salary of $40,000. It is
assumed that membership on the Taxi Commission is not a full time job.
7. All other matters of substance, including medallions, transfers, rules and regulations,
fees, correcting past injustices, and everything else, is excluded from this Proposition
and will continue in force as it exists at present until addressed by the new Taxi
Commission.
Because we start collecting signature starting June for submission to The Board of
Supervisors, please, by May 20, 2011, email any comments or suggestions to the
address below. We would email you back the final draft for your review and final
modification:
CHC-SF@LIVE.COM
CABBIES HELPING CABBIES (C.H.C.)
415-626-TAXI

Responsibility of Equipment in San Francisco Taxi Cabs

I came into work today and had to sign a equipment responsibility sheet for the
Camera
Phone
Screens
Electronic Waybill equipment

I asked for a copy but could not get one. I drove 1167 tonight and look at the pics of the meter I had to work with. Missing a button and the cover on the top of the meter.

November, 2011 Candidates Meet & Greet hosted by Central City Democrats and Tenant Rights Association PAC

Central City Democrats in partnership with Tenant Rights Association PAC is hosting a Meet and Greet with the Mayoral, City Attorney and Sheriff candidates seeking elective office on November 8th, 2011.

Come join us on Monday, May 16th

7PM-10PM

50 Mason Street

San Francisco, California

as we have the opportunity to talk face-to-face with the candidates.

Additional sponsors include:
Tenant Associations Coalition Political Action Committee (TAC PAC)

North of Market Business Association

San Francisco Taxi Advocates

Come join us at 50 Mason Social House were door prizes and refreshments will be provided.

For more information call (415) 339-8683.