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The Quarterly Newsletter of the United Taxicab Workers
Sponsored by Communications Workers of America, Local 9410

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Proposed Taxi Law Reforms

United Taxicab Workers

11/16/09

 United Taxicab Workers proposes that experienced San Francisco taxi drivers continue to obtain medallions – as demanded by the citizens and promised by the mayor -- without incurring crushing debt, and be able to retire with a modicum of financial security. We further propose speeding the medallion applicant list and providing the SFMTA with financing for designated purposes. To wit:

• Keep the core principles of Proposition K of 1978 intact.
• Medallions will remain non-transferable;
• Medallions will remain in the hands of working drivers.

Purposes : To maintain existing opportunities for experienced, qualified drivers. To honor the legitimate expectations of drivers who have spent years on the waiting list. To retain and build upon the inspired mission of Proposition K, which has made cab driving a more attractive career and helped create and retain a stable, experienced workforce to better serve the public.  

• Provide retirement assistance for qualifying drivers with and without medallions.
• Qualified medallion holders will be able to retire at the end of their careers and will receive a monthly income in exchange for the return of the medallion. The benefit would be paid for by contributions from all medallion holders;
• Qualified non-medallion holders will receive assistance toward retirement paid for through contributions from the industry and/or the public;
• The city will establish a Taxi Driver Fund, with driver representation, to administer the benefits provided;
• The Fund could provide other benefits if approved in public proceedings.

Purposes: To allow all qualifying, experienced drivers the opportunity to retire with dignity and a degree of financial security. Potentially, to provide other benefits to drivers, depending on need and availability of resources.

• Approve additional measures to reduce the wait for a medallion. Possible measures include:
• Require retiring medallion holders to return their medallions for reissuance when they stop driving, in exchange for a retirement benefit;
• Increase the number of hours/shifts required annually of applicants in order to qualify for a medallion;
• Institute more stringent testing of applicants, including an examination prior to signing onto the list;
• Increase enforcement against violators of the driving requirement and establish new methods to prevent violations.

Purposes: To allow access to medallions for qualified drivers within a reasonable time frame, which will retain experienced drivers in the industry.

• Allocate defined taxi industry contributions to the SFMTA for specified purposes .
• Contributions will go towards:
• Industry regulation.
• Enforcement against illegal providers of taxi services.
• Support for the paratransit program.
• Payments will be financed by contributions from the industry and/or the public, in a manner to be determined. Possible sources of financing include a rental fee on the use of medallions and an allocation of a portion of the revenues gained through a meter increase.

Purposes: To provide financial support to the SFMTA for activities related to taxi perations. Allocations of industry resources for these purposes would benefit the industry, the agency, the city and the public.

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