Taxis Seek Backing
The Age
Tuesday January 9, 2001
Union leaders will meet domestic and international airlines today to seek support for taxi drivers in their fight against a planned fee to be imposed on cabs servicing Melbourne Airport.
The fee is to cover the cost of providing amenities for drivers.
Transport Workers' Union branch secretary Bill Noonan said the union would outline possible consequences to airlines if the $1.60 charge for taxis to enter the waiting queue is introduced.
Mr Noonan said there would be long delays for passengers if the private airport owners stopped the taxis of drivers who did not have the required charge card, which will enable the levy to be charged each time the driver waits at the airport.
The union will also today meet its members who work at the airport.
He said talks yesterday with the state regulatory body, the Victorian Taxi Directorate, and the Victorian Taxi Association, which represents taxi owners and companies, failed to provide answers.
Meanwhile, a Melbourne airport spokeswoman said security guards would later this week start handing application forms for the charge card to cab drivers.
© 2001 The Age