Court Victory Seals Stansted Cabbies Union Deal

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Date / 18 August 2005

GMB recently won a legal battle for two of its members working for Checkercar taxis, saving their driving licenses and therefore their livelihoods.The GMB appointed barrister, from Thompson Solicitors, argued and proved hardship for the two members, who needed their licenses to carry on working. The barrister proved the circumstances surrounding the members’ cases were extenuating. A third driver, who was not represented by GMB, lost his license. This victory is thought to have encouraged 30 extra Checkercar workers to join GMB and tip the balance for bosses to sign a recognition agreement yesterday.

Drivers for Checkercar, working out of Stansted airport, gained trade union recognition when bosses signed an agreement with GMB. After some tough negotiations, head of Checkercar Terry McCarthy and GMB representative Terence Flanagan signed the facility agreement that will bring drivers better working terms and conditions. GMB now has around 80 members from Checkercar, including both drivers and controllers.

With the new agreement, GMB will have the power to negotiate terms for holiday entitlement, sick pay and maternity/paternity leave. The union has already secured 45% of the fare to go to drivers and is looking to improve on this. GMB is also circulating nomination forms to get Shop Stewards in all 6 driver shifts and in with the controllers.

Terry Flanagan said, “GMB is delighted to have helped save the licenses of these hard working drivers. It has ensured that passengers coming out of Stansted Airport will continue to be supplied with taxis and drivers who are well looked-after by their employers and ably assisted by GMB.