As the poster shows, there will be a number of trade exhibitors at this event. But I wonder how many of these exhibitors are aware of the progeny of this company? It will be interesting to know their views once they are informed.
Heathrow Taxis, which is a private company limited by guarantee, is funded from the entry fee that all taxi drivers pay when they enter the Taxi Feeder Park at Heathrow airport. Traditionally, the fee (£6.30) charged to taxi drivers each time they enter the TFP was made up of two parts; the main part of the charge went to BAA to administer the running of the Feeder Park through their contractors, and the smaller part of the charge (76pence) went to the taxi drivers' mutual society Heathrow Airport Licensed Taxis (HALT). This was an arrangement that was recommended by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Competition Commission.
Heathrow Airport Licensed Taxis Society (HALTS), now trading under the name of Heathrow Taxis, was incorporated with Companies House as a private company limited by guarantee in January 2009, and sometime between then and 1st June 2010, the smaller part of the entry fee has been passed onto Heathrow Taxis and not HALT. This new arrangement was because of the result of a so called survey that BAA conducted with the directors of Heathrow Taxis (HALTS) which claimed that there was overwhelming support from HALT members for such a change. What BAA and Heathrow Taxis (HALTS) failed to explain to drivers is that this "survey" has no legal standing whatsoever, and the transfer of funds from the drivers' mutual society, Heathrow Airport Licensed Taxis (HALT), to the private company Heathrow Taxis (HALTS) is questionable.
It is my opinion that Heathrow Taxis is heading for some tricky times to come if there is a legal challenge to their claim that they have done this with full legal and democratic integrity. I shall be keeping an eye on any further developments when drivers begin to realise the full implications of the changes that have taken place in the Taxi Feeder Park.
I note that no taxi trade organisations are mentioned in the list of exhibitors! There are three "recognised" trade organisations in the taxi trade, and there have been rumours that they are beginning to have reservations about Heathrow Taxis because of the above reasons. This is despite the fact that Unite the union (taxi branch) has had very strong links with some of the directors of Heathrow Taxis in the past.
I will be happy to discuss any of the issues in this article with any other taxi trade representative, if they wish to do so.
Michael Moran RMT Heathrow rep (London taxi branch).
Please email me at Roman@rmtmail.org.uk
your photograph above shows the FLYER for the Heathrow Taxi Trade Show
ReplyDeleteunless I'm mistaken, there's no mention on it of, HALT's (or whatever they're calling themselves this week), HEATHROW TAXI BLUE VOUCHER scheme, which was the MAINSTAY of the whole exhibition/show ie to get drivers to sign-up for the scheme
what I want to know is:
WHY do we have to sign up for a scheme that is administered in part by, THE TAXI DESKS
ie they bring the passengers (ie the ones that they haven't put privately into their FRIENDS vehicles), out to the cabs, on the ranks
I thought that, was what part of our Feeder Park entry (rip-off) fee was for ie THE TAXI DESKS!
also,
the wording on the Application Form, that one has to fill-in & sign, to be in, on the scheme, is totally illegal
get a Lawyer in Company Law, to check it out
HOW CAN BAA BE PARTY TO SUCH A SCHEME? = the advertising for this, is on their official website
Heathrow Airport Licensed Taxis Society (HALTS) is a private company limited by guarantee, so any profits made must go back into the company even though the directors can pay themselves a wage from the turnover. What the directors of this company failed to tell drivers is that they have also set up another company called Heathrow Taxis Solutions, which is also a private company but this one is limited by shares.
ReplyDeleteThis company does not restrict shareholders from taking a dividend, and the RMT has information to suggest that the credit card scheme, that Heathrow Taxis is encouraging drivers to sign up to, is being run through this new "phantom" company. Drivers should be aware of what they are signing up to. This is why you have to sign up in the first place; under the Data Protection Act you are giving consent for your details to be used by a third party.
Taxi drivers at Heathrow have been duped into believing that HALTS is the same as HALT, but what many don't seem to realise is that they are now funding two private companies everytime they enter the Taxi Feeder Park. This would be a dream come true for any company.
there is nothing on the sign-up form, about the Data Protection Act
ReplyDeletein the light of what you've just written, surely, not only that, but EVEYTHING we're signing-up for, should be ON the signing-up form
When you sign up with Heathrow Taxis you give your name, address, badge number, and bank details. Heathrow Taxis keeps this information, and has an obligation under the Data Protection Act to ensure that your information is protected. The fact that all the credit card business will go through Heathrow Taxis Solutions seems to have escaped a lot of drivers.
ReplyDeleteI willingly invite any of the directors of either Heathrow Airport Licensed Taxis Society, aka, Heathrow Taxis, or Heathrow Taxis Solutions to prove me wrong.
Michael Moran, Roman@rmtmail.org.uk
Not entirely the full picture Mick.
ReplyDeleteHALTS can do with items of drivers' personal data whatever it has declared it will do in registration documents held by the ICO. E.g. If HALTS 'notifies' the ICO it will sell banks of taxi trade data and does so, HALT's has covered its aris. HALTS's DP stuff can be checked on line by searching the ICO register. Pet285
Thank you, Pet285. We are keeping an eye on the Information Commission's Office (ICO) registration details of HALTS, which will have to be re-newed on 30 September 2010.
ReplyDeleteDrivers should be aware that they are agreeing to all the terms and conditions of any agreements or contracts that they sign.
Again, I must state that the RMT has reservations about this company, and does not advise any driver to give their personal details to this company. This information is in the light of the performance its directors who have shown no interest in working for the benefit of Heathrow's taxi drivers, despite assurances to the contrary.