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HANDOUTS DON’T STOP HUNGER LATWA CALLS UPON AND GAINS THE SUPPORT OF LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL TO SUPPORT A REAL TAXI METER RATE INCREASE On Tuesday September 13th, The Los Angeles Taxi Workers Alliance (LATWA) called upon the City Council to support our efforts for a truly meaningful increase in the meter rate to enable thousands of taxi workers and their families to survive. LATWA also called for real relief in the gas crisis through a gas surcharge indexed to gas prices that is added to the meter rate flag drop. While the Taxicab Commission’s proposal to increase the meter rate from $2.00 to $2.20 per mile is a step in the right direction, LATWA believes that it is not enough for taxi workers and their families to survive and make a decent living. Launch of Campaign LATWA launched the campaign to push for a “real” increase in the meter rate on September 12th. LATWA organizers met with various Los Angeles City Council members and their staff to take a serious look at the working and living conditions of taxi workers. Most of the Council members were sympathetic to our demands. Since the $0.20 cent increase had already been approved by the Council Transportation Committee and was up for a full council vote on September 13, LATWA made the decision to support the increase but to ask for a commitment from the Council to re-visit this issue in the very near future. Testimony before City Council At the full City Council meeting on September 13, LATWA presented our case for real change that will improve work conditions for taxi workers. One after another, taxi workers shared their stories about miserable work conditions and poverty wages that force them to work 12 -16 hours a day, 7 days a week, with no health insurance, no quality time with families, harassment from taxi companies, harassment from law enforcement, and in a dangerous work environment rife with accidents, robberies, physical assaults and life threatening injuries. With pin drop silence in the hall, the Council members intently listened to the stories of human impact on the lives of thousands of taxi workers and their families in Los Angeles. LATWA gains support of City Council members After testimony from eight LATWA members, the Council members were visibly moved and came out of their seats to greet the workers and express their support for the cause. Most importantly, several of the City Council members made a public commitment to work with LATWA and to support LATWA’s efforts to seek a meaningful increase in the meter rate that will truly improve the lives of taxi workers and their families. LET’S ORGANIZE !!! |
