Here We Go Again . . .
Cab companies and permit holders have attacked Prop K eight times since 1978. Every attempt has failed. Permit transferability, or the potential for it, has been on the ballot at least four times. Here in a nutshell are the propositions that have been rejected by the voters:
1978: Prop J, a counter-measure to Prop K, would have allowed permit transfers for no more than the price paid by the buyer.
1979: Prop M would have allowed permit holders to sell permits for up to the amount paid.
1981: Prop P would have repealed Prop K.
1988: Prop P would have repealed Prop K and authorized the Board of Supervisors to pass a substitute ordinance “which will follow the principles of Proposition K.”
1993: Prop Y would have created two classes of corporate permits, increased the number of taxis, etc.
1996: Prop J, a measure whose transferability provisions were strikingly similar to those in the current proposal, would have allowed permit holders to transfer their medallions at auction to applicants who had driven a cab for five the previous 10 years. Prop J also contained provisions for corporate permits, and had other provisions ostensibly beneficial to drivers.
2000: Prop M would have allowed for various classes of permits, including some under company control.
2003: Prop N would have allowed permit holders who could no longer drive to keep their permits for life.

Main Provisions of the Proposal
Proposition K would be repealed. The Board of Supervisors would be authorized to pass a new ordinance consistent with the principles contained in the ballot measure.
Under those principles:
Permits would remain city property, but transfer rights to permits would be privatized.
Current permit holders would receive transfer rights free of charge.
Permit holders could sell permit rights to qualified drivers on the applicants' waiting list.
The city could buy back the transfer rights by matching the highest bid at auction.
Current permit holders would pay a transfer fee of 20 percent upon the sale of the permit. Future permit holders would pay 10 percent.
Transfer fees would go into the city's General Fund, but at least 50 percent would have to be used for 1) driver health and disability benefits; 2) driver training and education; or 3) financing assistance for permit applicants. Applicants at the top of the list might get a preference in such programs.
If the city issues new permits it could sell the transfer rights at auction.
Corporate permits would be transferred without fee to persons who were shareholders when Prop K went into effect

Get Involved! If you want to stop permit transfers, volunteer to help. Should the measure get on the ballot UTW will be forming a campaign committee to fight it. Call our office at 864-8294 and learn what you can do to assist the campaign.

UTW's Limo Bill Goes to Senate
Proposed changes to state law designed to get tough on rogue limousine operators have passed in the Assembly and gone to the Senate. San Francisco Assemblyman Mark Leno introduced the amendments at UTW's request.
The new provisions would increase criminal and civil penalties for illegal operations, allow local authorities to impound vehicles whose drivers are breaking the law, allow for inspection of limo waybills to verify prearranged transportation and require more information on waybills to assist law enforcement.

UTW members who bring in new members can win gift certificates to fine union restaurants.

The Experienced Hand Will Hold the Permit
Stiffer Driving Requirement Imposed
For Permit Applicants; 800 Hours Approved for Permit Holders
The driving experience needed to qualify for a taxi medallion will increase dramatically in coming years under a recently-passed city ordinance. The new requirements are part of a package of taxi measures approved by the Board of Supervisors in June and signed into law July 1 by Mayor Gavin Newsom.
Included in the package is an alternative formula for calculating the permit holder driving requirement that will allow most medallion holders to drive a minimum of 800 hours a year as an alternative to the previous requirement of 156 shifts of at least four hours.
Also included are new administrative penalties for failure to comply with the requirement and new procedures for applying penalties to permit holders and to drivers who violate Taxi Commission rules and regulations.
click here to read this article

Hearing Date Set in Lazar Lawsuit
UTW's lawsuit to compel the surrender of two taxi permits transferred to Luxor Cab President John Lazar will have a court hearing on Aug. 6. On that date, Superior Court Judge Ronald Quidachay will decide whether the Taxi Commission and Board of Appeals unlawfully transferred the permits to Lazar from his deceased brother, Bill Lazar, Jr. in violation of Proposition K of 1978.
UTW has also appealed similar commission and board decisions involving eight medallions formerly held by deceased Yellow Cab shareholder Georgette Welch.

The Taxi Commission's Uncertain Future
A proposal to disband the Taxi Commission and place taxi regulation in the hands of the Municipal Transportation Agency (MTA) has been temporarily stalled in a committee of the Board of Supervisors.
But the proposed legislation, initiated by Mayor Gavin Newsom, could go forward at any time.
click here to read this article

At the Taxi Commission
The Taxi Commission meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 6:30 p.m., in room 400 of City Hall. Special meetings may be scheduled as needed. The following is a summary of significant commission proceedings at recent meetings:
click here to read this article

What Do These Have In Common?
Okay, Big Shot taxi driver, how well do you know the city? Match the numbers in the first column with the letters in the second column and find out.

1. Lombard, Vermont 2. Sunset/Richmond, Glen Park, Hunters Pt./Bayview 3. Sunset/Richmond, Potrero Hill/Mission 4. Valencia 5. Odd numbered piers 4/Harrison, 3/Harrison, 7/Mission, 5/Howard 7. Pier 2 8. Millennium and Green's Restaurants 9. O'Reilly's, Fiddler's Green, Shannon's 10. Quincy, Leidesdorff 11. Crossover Drive 12. Foley's, Harrington's, Kells, Irish Bank 13. Alfred's, Bob's, Morton's, Ruth's Chris, Harris' House of Prime Rib, Izzy's

A. Vegetarian restaurants B. Dangerous intersections C. Irish bars Downtown/Financial Districts D. North of the Ferry Building E. Curvy streets F. Legal left turns off California, westbound G. Intersects both Market and Mission H. Steak houses I. Have some streets named in alphabetical order J. Irish bars in North Beach K. AmTrak bus connection L. Numbered Avenues and streets M. Goes from 19th Ave. to 25th Ave. click here to see the Answers

Questions for Cab Drivers
Here's a test of how much you know about who's been moving and shaking the taxi industry for the past number of years:
What cab drivers' group was the moving force behind the 1998 city ordinance that reduced gates and made companies seek city approval to raise them?
What group has been instrumental in the defeat of four taxi ballot measures devised by cab companies and permit holders to line their pockets at drivers' expense?
What group led the successful fight to stop the issuance of 500 additional permits in 2001, saving the taxi industry from certain collapse?
What group convinced city commissions to vote against Yellow's and Luxor's corporate taxi permits, leading to the return of 32 permits and their re-issuance to permit applicants?
What group is sponsoring a proposed state law to crack down on illegal limo operations by increasing fines and allowing police to seize vehicles breaking the law?
What group proposed and won initial approval of a cab driver health plan that is now in the works?
What group is at every Taxi Commission meeting, fighting for drivers' rights and working to protect their interests?
If your answer to all these questions is
United Taxicab Workers, you scored 100%!
JOIN UTW!
Unite to Win!

Problems at SFO?
Taxi drivers who observe problems or have disputes with dispatchers inside the garage or at the terminal stands should contact the on-duty shift manager at (650) 821-2700 or 821-2704. Problems or complaints can also be addressed to Landside Operations at (650) 821-6528.

UNITED TO WIN is published quarterly by United Taxicab Workers.  We welcome the submission of letters, photos and articles to be considered for publication. Printer: Graffik Natwicks, 760 Bryant St., S.F. 94107.  Editor: Mark Gruberg.