Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Saturday September 24th, 2011
I came into work tonight and was given a spare cab Veterans 2402 from Dugan the day dispatcher. Than Dugan told me Veterans 216 was ready to take that instead. I drove 216 out of the drioveway and it stalled 5 times by the time I got to Mckinnon street. I turned the cab around and brought it back to Dugan and asked for a spare. Dugan than gave me Veterans 2402 again. I drove the car for most of the night and kept smelling a sweet odor which may have been carbon monoxide. Jesus the general manager was told about the sedans and that it hurts my back even more to drive a sedan. I asked him for a reasonable accommodation. Jesus's response "what are you fucking nuts" and started laughing at me. Around 3:30 I was dropping off a young lady up by 24th and Grandview when I started to smell the odor even stronger, to the point it was making my chest burn and my head dizzy. I radioed in to Frank at the Cab Company that I needed a tow truck. Frank told me that I need to drive the fucking car to the garage. I explained to him it was burning and we seen smoke coming from underneath the car.
I did drive the car in fear that it may start a blaze like some other crown vics have done over the years. When I got to the garage I asked for a repair slip form to fill out for the mechanics. I was refused one and instead Frank started yelling at me that I am trouble opening a workers compensation claim and now complaining about the cars, he will get rid of me.
I came home and washed off my face where alot of black soot came off my face onto the towel. I can only imagine how much of this got into my lungs. I was forced to use cars like this for years and now that I asked to go off of work now the retaliation continues.
I did drive the car in fear that it may start a blaze like some other crown vics have done over the years. When I got to the garage I asked for a repair slip form to fill out for the mechanics. I was refused one and instead Frank started yelling at me that I am trouble opening a workers compensation claim and now complaining about the cars, he will get rid of me.
I came home and washed off my face where alot of black soot came off my face onto the towel. I can only imagine how much of this got into my lungs. I was forced to use cars like this for years and now that I asked to go off of work now the retaliation continues.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Friday September 23rd
I was over at Sugar last night at Hayes and Gough. Kary WHite came by laughing asking me if I was working tonight, and if I was even going to short shift. I told him no I was not able to. He said he was not surprised and mentioned good luck working saturdays too.
Friday September 23rd
I noticed last night a night driver who was hired after me out driving on a friday night. I have been told they can not fulfill my Friday or saturday Shifts because Medallion owners have gone back to work. This is not true. Eddie Ramos was out driving last night and is not a medallion owner. In fact was let go for awhile and recently came back but he is out working on Friday night.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
MAry Mcguire
Mary Mcguire yells at me after asking me if I support the medallions going back to the city. Mary also told me that Dan Hinds told her about my workers compensation case and that it exceeds 50,000. Frank the night dispatcher teams up with her to harass me at work.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Sunday May 15th about 3:00 a.m.
I came in from almost 12 hours of driving last night to be greeted by Frank. Stating "I know how we can get rid of you" "You know we treated you better here than at Veterans". I can only hope that someday when I come in from working I could hear how was your night? Instead of the badgering I have to listen to. When I ask Frank why he says this, he states he is just kidding. There is no indication through a smile or laughter that he is and that he just likes to mess with people.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Medallion Owners Yelling at me today at work
I had two medallion owners upset with me about the insurance issues that I complain about at work. I would like to see taxi drivers having uninsured motorist coverage and being fully insured when behind the wheel of the taxi. Medallion owners would most likely not want this because the costs would be placed on them. However I think if you are going to run a business and hire other drivers you should take care of those drivers by providing insurance.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Another Violent night at 17th and Mission Street in San Francisco
While I was driving my cab tonight and strolling down Mission street in San Francisco. I came across a young lady in her twenty's who looked like she had been shot in the leg or stabbed. The incident occurred about 1:00 a.m. in the morning. About five police cars were there but no ambulance when I was going by. I noticed her white shorts she was wearing drenched in red blood on her right leg. The police cleared the scene pretty quickly.
But I will be darned if when I drove by around 2:10 again another victim at the same street intersection. This time looked like a young Hispanic man was either stabbed or shot this morning. The police did tape of the crime scene in two locations (one at 17th and Mission and the other where the young man was at by 15th and Mission.
The second incident seem to prompt the police to do a further investigation. I would have stayed out later tonight but seeing these two incidents was a bit much for ma and I took my cab in.
But I will be darned if when I drove by around 2:10 again another victim at the same street intersection. This time looked like a young Hispanic man was either stabbed or shot this morning. The police did tape of the crime scene in two locations (one at 17th and Mission and the other where the young man was at by 15th and Mission.
The second incident seem to prompt the police to do a further investigation. I would have stayed out later tonight but seeing these two incidents was a bit much for ma and I took my cab in.
Defective San Francisco Taxi Equipment
Tonight I had the opportunity to drive a cab with out a two way radio. A two way radio is used to dispatch calls from the company to the taxi's. In San Francisco we are required to take one radio call per hour if available. The radio was done for about 3/4 of my shift.
I called into dispatch tonight to tell the dispatcher about the radio. At least tonight I was not called faggot or any other racist comment like usual. I was told I could bring the cab in and pick up a spare which are smelly and usually make me sick. I decided to keep the cab though I did not have dispatch service. I thought I would get some consideration, meaning some money of my rental of the car which includes dispatching service. Well of course not, no consideration for a defective taxi in this industry and of course no one to report it to either without getting into trouble.
The public wonders why it is so hard to find a cab in San Francisco. Well I was one with out the ability to take radio calls from customers.
I really wish with all the money the SFMTA gets from the taxi industry that they would do some checking on the vehicles, or at least have a line where we can report the cars that are not functioning correctly.
I called into dispatch tonight to tell the dispatcher about the radio. At least tonight I was not called faggot or any other racist comment like usual. I was told I could bring the cab in and pick up a spare which are smelly and usually make me sick. I decided to keep the cab though I did not have dispatch service. I thought I would get some consideration, meaning some money of my rental of the car which includes dispatching service. Well of course not, no consideration for a defective taxi in this industry and of course no one to report it to either without getting into trouble.
The public wonders why it is so hard to find a cab in San Francisco. Well I was one with out the ability to take radio calls from customers.
I really wish with all the money the SFMTA gets from the taxi industry that they would do some checking on the vehicles, or at least have a line where we can report the cars that are not functioning correctly.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Passenger from 532 Cole
I accepted a call from dispatch tonight and traveled to it from Fell and Franklin. When I got to the location a Yellow cab was there as well, and when I asked the driver he said he was there for the same person. I told the dispatcher about this. The passenger never came out after about ten minutes. When dispatch called the person they got no answer and told me to go.
About 10 minutes later, the passenger called again. I said I would go back to the address because I was over at Post and Baker. When I arrived, I waited for about ten more minutes and the dispatcher called again and still no passenger.
I decided to go after being told to do so. Then the passenger called a third time. I was a block away so I went. As I pulled up a Desoto cab was coming to the same order. The Desoto driver told me go ahead and take it. She came down with her friend. I had to ask so I did what happened. She told me her phone was not working and could not get calls. She told me the dispatcher never called her. She got a little upset with me. I mentioned to her I ask because I have been to the apartment three times for a total of about 25 minutes of my night. She told me she did not care and did not even apologize for my wait time. Then continued to tell me about customer service. I was felling very uncomfortable, I almost kicked her out of the cab. I tried to phone into Byron, the first time he answered and I tried to tell him the situation. Byron did not want to hear it and would take care of me later. I called back a second time and Byron would not even answer the phone.
When I got to the garage, I finally was able to tell him the whole story including no tip, and the passenger thought I was abrasive. I am amazed we are required to take radio calls, even if they waste our time and are promised to be taken care of which the dispatcher did not. This is a good example of how the dispatch service does not care about the driver or passengers because the cab company gets their money no matter what.
The passenger called three different companies and made me come back three times and waste 25 minutes of my shift. The dispatch could not even give me what is called a bonus load which is 10 off my gate.
About 10 minutes later, the passenger called again. I said I would go back to the address because I was over at Post and Baker. When I arrived, I waited for about ten more minutes and the dispatcher called again and still no passenger.
I decided to go after being told to do so. Then the passenger called a third time. I was a block away so I went. As I pulled up a Desoto cab was coming to the same order. The Desoto driver told me go ahead and take it. She came down with her friend. I had to ask so I did what happened. She told me her phone was not working and could not get calls. She told me the dispatcher never called her. She got a little upset with me. I mentioned to her I ask because I have been to the apartment three times for a total of about 25 minutes of my night. She told me she did not care and did not even apologize for my wait time. Then continued to tell me about customer service. I was felling very uncomfortable, I almost kicked her out of the cab. I tried to phone into Byron, the first time he answered and I tried to tell him the situation. Byron did not want to hear it and would take care of me later. I called back a second time and Byron would not even answer the phone.
When I got to the garage, I finally was able to tell him the whole story including no tip, and the passenger thought I was abrasive. I am amazed we are required to take radio calls, even if they waste our time and are promised to be taken care of which the dispatcher did not. This is a good example of how the dispatch service does not care about the driver or passengers because the cab company gets their money no matter what.
The passenger called three different companies and made me come back three times and waste 25 minutes of my shift. The dispatch could not even give me what is called a bonus load which is 10 off my gate.
Wednesday April 20th
I came into work today and the first thing Dugan said to me is that I am not on the list but my dog is. I asked him why he said that. Dugan said he was just trying to find something smart to say. A simple hello how are you would be great!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
California's Workers' Comp Laws and San Francisco's Taxi Industry, A Cab Driver's Experience. By John Han
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| SF Taxi Driver Dean Clark. |
The following is a highlight and recap of a discussion I had with SF taxi driver Dean Clark.
Clark is a gate and gas taxi driver working night shifts at National Cab. Clark alleges that in April of 2010, his taxi was struck by another vehicle driven by an uninsured motorist at 8th St. and Minna, in which he had suffered, and still suffers from injuries unaccounted for today. Here are the highlights of the accident, and the details of what later took place with the cab company, as they have been relayed to me.
In April of 2010, Clark was driving southbound on 8th St. in the far right lane. A woman in another car was heading westbound on Minna. She attempted to crossover 8th St to get to the other side of Minna, but in doing so, struck the front driver’s side of Clarks taxi, causing the taxi to spin. Clark says that upon impact, the taxi’s seatbelt locking mechanism had failed, and that no airbags were deployed because the vehicle did not have any. Consequently, Clark’s head hit the front windshield, and as the car spun, also hit the side window, causing blurred “temporary blindness”, for several hours.
According to Clark’s telling of the accident, the cab company at the time, and possibly the police report, claimed that the woman had liability insurance. But after filing a claim, the insurance company said that the woman’s policy had been canceled recently because of lack of payment, and then had then been reinstated, but only after the accident occurred. Therefore, the woman’s insurance company denied the injury claim.
This led to Clark being referred to National Cab’s attorney. But Clark says the cab company’s attorney didn’t want to represent Clark in a workers’ comp claim nor defer him to another attorney. Neither did the cab company post information about California’s Workers’ Compensation laws anywhere at the company where drivers could see it.
According to Clark, after National Cab had initially delayed in filing a workers’ comp claim, and then seemingly repudiated further attempt to do so, he contacted the cab company’s insurance carrier, which he identifies as Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association (PMA), a Pennsylvania lobbying firm.
According to PMA’s website, the firm is involved in, “enacting workers’ compensation reform”, and since 1909, has been, “defending free enterprise and fighting to improve the competitiveness of Pennsylvania’s business climate.”
Clark says that when he contacted the firm, it had denied any knowledge of a policy number associated with National Cab, and that the medical bills resulting from the accident to date have gone unpaid. After that incident, Clark sought help from a private attorney and is currently being represented by that attorney.
In another matter not related to the accident, but related to Clark’s relationship to National Cab, an MRI revealed white spots in his brain. Clark says he believes it could be from long-term exposure to cab fumes.
Dean Clark…
“For the first three years or so driving for National Cab, I was placed in some of the most nastiest cabs you could ever imagine. And my clothes and everything else would smell like a sweet odor. And we’re not talking about dirty. We’re talking about some sort of odor or gas because it would make you light headed. I would have headaches sometimes for almost seven hours and would have to take Exedrin. So I started getting worried about that so I went to the doctor (Kaiser). The doctor there took three different blood tests at three different random times throughout the course of a year or two, and found that I have high carbon monoxide levels.”
According to Clark, National Cab told him his high carbon monoxide levels were the result of him being a smoker.
Going back to the accident though, he says he has been diagnosed with post concussion syndrome, three herniated discs, vision issues and others as a result. He continues to see a neurologist, and still suffers pain from the three herniated discs.
As for airbags, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) does not require taxis to be equipped with airbags, which Clark believes could have dramatically prevented the injuries. Nor does it require cab companies to carry uninsured motorist coverage in their insurance policies. But Transportation Code Division II, Article 1100 Section 1106(i) does state…
“Color Scheme Permit Holders shall comply with all applicable state laws and regulations concerning Workers’ Compensation”. (Transportation Code Division II, Article 1100 Section 1106(i))
With regards to state laws and regulations concerning Workers’ Compensation, this following excerpt is from a memorandum put out in 2008 by the former SF Taxi Commission.
"The state judicial system has affirmed that California taxi drivers are employees for purposes of workers' compensation in certain employment situations. These employment situations have included "gate and gas" drivers. Local cases making this finding include Tracy v. Yellow Cab Co-Operative, Inc. (San Francisco Superior Court No. 938786) and Yellow Cab Cooperative Inc. V. Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (1991) 226 Cal.App.3d 1288. Another case on point is Santa Cruz Transportation, Inc. v. Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board (1991) 235 Cal.App.3d 1363."
In the same memorandum, the former taxi commission held that San Francisco cab companies are required by State laws to purchase and maintain workers’ compensation coverage for individual taxi drivers. This excerpt cited local codes pursuant to California’s laws.
"Municipal Police Code 1147.4 provides:
All persons, firms or corporations holding taxicab color scheme permits pursuant to Section 1125(b) of this Article shall comply with all applicable state statues concerning workers' compensation and any applicable regulations adopted pursuant to those statutes. Taxicab color scheme permit holders must include a sworn statement attesting to compliance with such applicable statutes and regulations as part of an annual filing required by Section 1095 of this Article.
Rule 5.H.16 requires that "the color scheme holder must have a copy of Certificate of Worker's Compensation Insurance prominently displayed at the place of business so that it is visible to drivers." This is based on California Labor Code 3350 which requires the same posting. Notably, Labor Code 3550 administers a civil penalty of up to $7000 for failure to post the certificate. The Commission also assesses a fine of $75 for the first offense of failure to post a current certificate."
(SF Taxi Commission memorandum 2008)
“I’m fed up. You can’t treat people like this”, says Clark. He says he wants the lawmakers and the public to understand his experience. “I hope that they gain some perspective of what San Francisco taxi drivers have to go through, and how underrepresented we truly are”, he says.
“Also when it comes to looking for a lawyer, for looking for someone to represent us, we’re just underrepresented across the board. And things like that need to change.”
Clark has an attorney, and says he expects his case will eventually go to court.
San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency can fine a cab company for failure to comply with workers' compensation laws $45 per day for each day without insurance. (Transportation Code Division II, Article 1100 Section 1106(i) Schedule of Fines)
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Finger
Yesterday while working Mike whipped the finger at me and honked his horn around 4:30 - 5:00 p.m. at Mckinnon and Jerold
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Cary at National
Tonight when I came in from work Frank the night dispatcher told Cary I called him incompetent. I never called Cary Incompetent. Frank told me months ago he would get my Friday shifts removed from me, which has now started. Unfortunately I can not go to management because in the San Francisco taxi industry nobody listens to the cab driver. Plus Jesus said he does not want to hear about it. In fact now he claims that I might lose my Thursdays. Cary inferred tonight that I would not be able to work on Fridays and made mention of I talk bad about Mike, him and everyone else. When I tried to communicate with him he would not listen and only felt that he should talk. Cary is a pretty bright person and was very helpful to me when the accident occurred last year. I have always respected him for the help when no one else at the company cared when I was injured after the accident. It bothers me that Cary did not listen because even Frank wavered and said I might have said he was incompetent in math. These games cost drivers their shifts and money they need to live. A guy named Smitty was present when these things were being discussed. Jesus has taking the away the shifts even though I take a lot of radio calls. Radio calls have been over the last two years the criteria that allowed me to work on fridays. The rumor of I said something about Mike comes from a guy named Colin, a big pot smoker and one I would truly call incompetent as a human being.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Pot Head Colin
When I came into the garage tonight. Colin once again started in on me about something he heard from a customer which was not true. Colin stated that I talked about him to his regular customers while I took them to Oakland one night. I kinda of remember this ride but when asked about him I told him that I am not fond of him. Evident ally either the customers were fabricating a story or Colin is still upset with me for reporting him for smoking pot before going out on his shift. I dont smoke pot and not opposed of others smoking pot, but if your going to drive for a living do not smoke pot before you get in a cab and drive people around.
Got out tonight at work
I was able to get out to work tonight. Though there were some problems I was charged 68 dollars for a five hour shift. Subba brought the cab in without putting enough gas in the car, and I tipped the dispatcher 10.00 to go out tonight. I did not make much money.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Trying to work on Friday night
I have been working for two years now on Friday nights. I am now being told that they dont have the cars to place everyone out to work. I personally think it is a personal attack on me because of needing a workers compensation claim for my injuries in an accident.
At about 11:00 a.m. today I got a call from the general manager telling me to call Mike and get on the list for the night. I tried two times and got hung up on both times. I was at the doctors that was nearby and figured I would stop in to see what the issue is. I asked Mike do I take enough radio calls and he said yes. I said what is the problem then and he said they lost one medallion. Jesus just told me two days ago that Mike should rotate the drivers.
I called Jesus after my visit and he told me that Medallion 446 is being sent back to the city and they were losing it. I drive 446 on Thursdays.
Everyday I get more upset over our government not helping people who get discriminated against because of a disability. These same government workers are so concerned over their own pensions and wages and can not understand why the public is losing interest in assisting them. Well they don't seem to be helping anyone else.
At about 11:00 a.m. today I got a call from the general manager telling me to call Mike and get on the list for the night. I tried two times and got hung up on both times. I was at the doctors that was nearby and figured I would stop in to see what the issue is. I asked Mike do I take enough radio calls and he said yes. I said what is the problem then and he said they lost one medallion. Jesus just told me two days ago that Mike should rotate the drivers.
I called Jesus after my visit and he told me that Medallion 446 is being sent back to the city and they were losing it. I drive 446 on Thursdays.
Everyday I get more upset over our government not helping people who get discriminated against because of a disability. These same government workers are so concerned over their own pensions and wages and can not understand why the public is losing interest in assisting them. Well they don't seem to be helping anyone else.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Crabby Cabbie - Peter Wit from Yellow Cab Comments on Industry
From Crabby Cabbie,...
To all the Don's and Prima Donna's,
who "can never get a cab-when they want one" and want'a to saturate San Francisco with cabs...just like NYC.
In the first place , don't we hear that a line about cops ? Isn't that a mis-quoted joke that goes."You can never find a cop when you need one", ...not cabs. Second, you might also not know... S.F. already has more cabs per-ca-pita then N.Y.C.. It's not April fools day but there is a joke going around S.F. and it's on the general public. Perpetrated by those in the business of exploitation.
Like the small-town cry-ers, (doormen at hotels) or the SFMTA-who now runs taxis- or a big-time taxi company or perhaps ... a small time politician or possibly a hard up news reporter stuck on recycle.
Common sense should tell anyone who has any, when it rains,(it pours) and when it's..."rush-hour" or when it's Friday at 2:00am or when the Opera, Symphony, Opheum and War Memorial let out at the same time ..it just might be a little inconvenient to a cab, ...at the flick of a finger. Not that, it wouldn't be nice, but if one were mature enough, and not a little baby or an animal, like those around the Civic Center, one could reason, that, ... if, EVERYONE wants ANYTHING at the same time,... it may be a little in-convenience, to say the least, to get. You should never say never anyway. Certainly some people that live in S.F. might think their ... "so special" that they don't need to think, ahead, (as a human might) to anticipate man-made behavioral patterns.
There's a little saying, I seem to recall, that goes something like ... "You can't please all the people all the time"... (I don't wonder why) but ..."you can please", ...I forget the rest,... maybe I'm getting too mature.
I marvel at the X-Taxi Commissioners (TXC), Malcom H. and Bruce O. -who currently sit on the MTA board who thought of peak-time taxis, in 2007, when they were on the TXC. Why didn't they put a mechanism in place to measure the difference before or after they added approximately 10% more " from 2007-till today? Because, still, there is nothing is place to measure any effect, that may have occur or not as a result of their action.
It seems ..."Like it or not"...the 64 million dollar answer for MTA's budget is, peak-time taxis. The 64 million dollar question for the public is ...how many more cabs will MTA need to add, to service the... so called "tourists" when they can never get a cab ...when "they"...want one (just one), when it's rains during rush hour? Clearly MTA is displaying animal instincts when suggesting more cabs as a solution. When it contradicts one or two of their own mantras. One, being ... "Auto redaction" and the other,... "Public transit first". Cabs are not public transit, their motor-vehicles for hire and -closer to limousines. A conflict of interest and the City knows it. MTA doesn't need to make cent, thou, they need to make dollars and lots of them. Which means, you can forget about reducing the number cabs, when there's too many cabs, as the article clearly pointed as a problem and common knowledge.
Never mind the heart of S.F. taxi problems such as dispatch, the elephant in the room that taxi-drivers and customers have been complaining about for decades. ( as noted by the Taxi Task Force in 1998, headed by G. Newsom).
You can forget about the working and living conditions of cab drivers or the negative effects as a result of adding an over-flow of cabs. And such things as, traffic, air, or quality of taxi-service (i.e.-taxi-driver).
One SFMTA Board members also professed that "cab drivers are professionals and drive clean cabs"... I'd like to know his source of information. It sounded exactly like it came from the missing - 2007 PC&N report, that was so amateurishly done, just before the TXC added more cabs.
So all is well in taxi-land,...or so it seems,... except some Broad members friends, right around Christmas time, again, can never get a cab when they need. Maybe their from around NYC and late to a party. I can see them now trying flag a cab down around, 38th and Wawona. Maybe if they tried calling for one they'd have a little better luck, I'd suggest the smaller cab-companions for even better luck.
Then there's the MTA's (PR) spokesman who said..."The idea, (of peak- time taxis) is ... so people can get around especially at night and to help tourists get from place to place". He went on to say ..., it "could have a positive revenue impact for the agency as well". Only , could have ?
Well, idealistically that's all fine and dandy, people getting around more easily but, if you do the numbers, historical, on the people's side it doesn't add up. However that would be inconsequential to the larger taxi-companies or MTA.
It should be said..."non-taxi riders" might consist of 95% of the public 75% of time, on any given day. If your a cab driver their never enough customers. And for MTA it's like shooting fish in a barrel because they have on numbers to crunch or final plan conceived. The numbers I crunched don't lie but MTA and the TXC keep throwing them in the trash. Frankly it only seemed logical (elementary)... since no one else was.
To review, -as I've documented and submitted to City Hall (13 years of comparable data) suggests ; tourists from abroad/calif./u.s. fair better (above average) over-all, compared to locals and visitors from the bay area markets. Also never mentioned, when referencing tourists, all, need a hotel or place to sleep and ... three meals a day but certainly not all tourists choose a cab for their transportation needs. Like-wise... taxis do not dependent on tourists. None the less, it makes for a great sound bit and don't you know... MTA knows the drill well.
One also might presume,... logically (?) that "tourists", as it were, like knowledgeable taxi-drivers, not a, .low paying, non-English speaking, rookies. It's no wonder MTA has yet to define what "good taxi service" is ...and maybe you'd like NYC or Boston taxi-drivers in S.F.
If you ask someone who lives in NYC, not the someone who just passes through, about taxis during rush hour, when it's raining, they might also say ..."you can never get a cab". But they don't cry about it. One New Yorker I talked to termed rush-hour in NYC as ..."the bewitching hour". That's the time, all over the world when cabbies change their shifts, from day to night driver. NYC also is a 24 hours city, S.F. a sleepy little town and NYC has a working transit and subway system in place and an after 2:00am night life, to support cab business, unlike S.F.
The idea of peak-time cabs is not new to S.F. it's an old idea that's long been bantered about in City Hall but only used as a ploy, so far, to just add more cabs. The S.F.P.D. and T.T.F. first in suggested the idea in 1998, when there was just 981 cabs in S.F.. One hundred cabs later, then Board of Appeals order to add 300 cabs and then define "peak-times" before releasing them "if needed". But just like the idea of dispatch, peak-cabs got lost in the fog and in the minds of S.F.'s politics, which may explain why the cost of living for cab driver hasn't been addressed since 2003. "It seems"...no one really cares in City Hall about S.F.taxi drivers. With-out a Union or any real representation their pretty much, pickled in a barrel, going down the river for a-dine a dozen. All S.F. did for the last 12 years was add more cabs, it forgot cab service. Today (2011) S.F. has 1500 cabs. After a double dose reality, I for one, presume MTA not capable of acting with well intent.
It's easy to see taxi dysfunction in S.F. , it's right on the tops of taxis. If they can't even get an off and on of a taxi to work right. There's something awfully disturbing about being in a world class city and them not being able to get a light switch to work right, especially, in the middle of the mecca of hi-tec, in ..."the age of communication". Local law and international standers should dictate along with common sense. But that might be weird S.F.
Never mind the eternal frustration for both, customer and cabbie not to mention safety. Clearly the top-light should be ...off when a cab has customer or,...when off duty or the cab has a radio order. But you won't hear any complaints about that from MTA. Do the words "revenue source" mean anything to you? Ever hear of "comcast"... like in advertising? (please note; Cab-vision is coming soon with ads talking) The profit is in the dysfunction, two things,MTA and Big companies can't seem to do without.
To find the real "true grit"of S.F. taxi service, you'll have to dig deep and sift though all the dirt City Hall keeps kicking out.
Noting the limited scope of the reporting.
1.) Certain doormen at many major Hotels in S.F. ; Take bribes from limos for SFO rides, which causes cabs to avoid many hotels, creating a back log of customers, or a black-hole effect, if you will, for good service. It should be noted that the Taxi Commission added more cabs, even thou their 2007 PCN documented, most doormen thought taxi-service was adequate.
2.) Mark Gruger ; The mouth piece for UTW, at times, speaks for himself mostly and is a medallion holder, also an owner operator of Green Cab. As for UTW... they lost credibility with most older taxi drivers years ago, Taxi drivers do not have a union and use of UTW suggests taxi drivers have a Union. If one were to do a poll, one would find this greatly misleads public perception that S.F. taxi drivers have a real union.
3.) Barry Taranto (x-cabbie 2plus years..., casualty of the taxi commission, currently un-employed, due to stress...and his own poor driving skills as a cabbie. Is a way over-used resourced for taxi news who's also been refereed to as a "nat" by some insiders.
Other-wise, I see this article as balanced somewhere between ..."I can never get a cab" and ..."there's to many cabs on the streets during slow times".
Now, if it was only possible ...to find some hard-data, as opposed uncatalogued anecdote, like what's in the 2007 PCN report. Some of the most relevant reports published have also been over looked, ...or just plain buried. Perhaps they're a little too equitable (hint) or balanced and they -costly, in-depth reports- best be keep in the dark,... out of sight and out of mind.
Is this why doesn't M.T.A. have a good plan in place or a leg to stand? And, how does adding more cabs make S.F. any greener. Peak-time taxis is not a novel idea either, however to date S.F. would be the first actual city ...to make it work. Many other cities (both abroad and in the U.S) have already addressed peak-time taxi demands and taxi dispatch in a more realistic or humane manner.
Some cities like the idea of "cab-pooling", (also brought up in 1998 and forgotten) and some cities like "congestive pricing" or "dispatched pricing" or advanced deposits. The point I'd like to make is there are plenty of practical options out there, that are working.
One scenario, that does not address dispatch, I see working in S.F. -if thought-out properly - would be a win win, win, win, win for all. That would be to implement a combination of both... "peak-time pricing" (to ease demand, so as to increase cab availability and for radio service) while developing and encouraging ..."city cab-pooling" naturally (easing the cost while increasing the supply for flag consumer and radio service). By one simple flick of a finger. In a matter of moments, no fuss and no muss. Theoretically doubling or tripling the availability of taxis, without adding one. Taxi-meter rates can be changed accordingly, to peak-times. Higher rates can be set to activate between, 7:00 to 9:30 and 5:00 to 8:00, during the week-days and at late night times on weekends. This will give induce maximum flexibility as well assuring efficiency and effectiveness. Assuming "most people"... don't take taxis and taxi driver's need to make a living too.
Perfect for tourists - in Que lines at hotels- as well as for the downtown worker (one) waiting for a cab home, I would think in "the" city of love, S.F. it would be the perfect fit. Bar crowds on the other hand, may need special attention such as girls-share-cabs only as one country is doing. I imagine most tourists or conventioneers go to the usual tourist spots,(Chinatown, Fisherman's wharf, N. Beach or Union sq.
MTA does want to help tourists don't they? I don't think they'd mind sharing as opposed to waiting,... for their crooked doorman to try and flag one. I'm sure the details could be worked out, if one put a mind to it, we did go to the moon, didn't we?
Think about this..if it is a small world, after all and you do like to travel might not what go to other side of the pond. I hear if you get caught in the rain wearing a white shirt, your shirt wouldn't be white for long. With that in mind keeping congestion and pollution in check should be the first think in the minds of our City care takers along with maintaining a S.F. taxi driver's income. And I don't think they should be baiting the public based on information on a plan from the obis. .
No one likes to be left in the cold, on hold or in the dark. Like the time one night, when I drove passed City Hall around 10:00pm and a party was letting out. I didn't see anyone laughing there. Someone should have told them, (if they needed a cab) they should have walked around to the Van Ness side because no one likes to be left on the wrong corner either. Maybe MTA's little joke is on some of the insiders of City Hall, too. If the S.F. City "insiders" and MTA truly want to service the "public" needs, they'd set their sight on the recent S.F. taxi history -so as not to repeat it- see just adding cabs, these days, simply compounds the -un-reported joke of dispatch. Then quit joking around and consider a more realistic approach to the bigger problems. Because "Tricks are for kids"... and adults, who don't know any better or can't plan ahead.
Called National Cab Company for a Taxi Tonight
I called National Cab Company for a taxi tonight and Mike picked up the phone and told me a cab would be there soon. I did not get a call back so I called back in about ten minutes. Mike started to yell at me calling me a mother f*(cker, etc. Claims he called me and left a message. I never got a call from Mike that a cab was downstairs. I do not believe a cab ever showed up.
This is a prime example of dispatch service. The dispatch service foes not care whether they get you a cab or not because there is no incentive. Customers are treated like crap and there is no recourse for these actions. The cab company already gets there money from the driver, so they dont care if people call or not. The SFMTA if this is reported will more than likely do nothing using the excuse that the cab companies are privately owned and they have no say.
Computerized centralized dispatch would be handy, because than we dont have to deal with incompetent or socially inept people to get a cab delivered to your door.
This is a prime example of dispatch service. The dispatch service foes not care whether they get you a cab or not because there is no incentive. Customers are treated like crap and there is no recourse for these actions. The cab company already gets there money from the driver, so they dont care if people call or not. The SFMTA if this is reported will more than likely do nothing using the excuse that the cab companies are privately owned and they have no say.
Computerized centralized dispatch would be handy, because than we dont have to deal with incompetent or socially inept people to get a cab delivered to your door.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Arthur
Arthur told me that John could always tell Dan Hinds that I told him that National does not have workers compensation.
It appears as though some people might be trying to get me fired from driving a cab. I simply think its retaliation for being injured in an accident. I dont see why I cant just get the medical treatment I need, instead of dealing with these childish attempts.
It appears as though some people might be trying to get me fired from driving a cab. I simply think its retaliation for being injured in an accident. I dont see why I cant just get the medical treatment I need, instead of dealing with these childish attempts.
Dan Hinds and John Han
A conversation with Jon Han today. John indicated that Dan Hinds in a casual conversation about verifone in National Cabs, that Dan stressed the point that I have an open Workers Compensation Claim with the company.
Dan is under the impression that I told John that national Cab does not have Workers Compensation, which was never stated.
Dan is under the impression that I told John that national Cab does not have Workers Compensation, which was never stated.
Meeting with Dave
I got a call this evening from Dave to talk about a comprehensive survey. We went to eat at Sparky's. Very interesting meeting. I was asked if I was offered some money from the owner of the company would I drop what I was doing.
Strange Passenger
Tonight around 1:00 a.m. I picked up a passenger at 26th and Mission. A relative young Latino male who got in and asked me to take him to 16th and Valencia. In route I noticed the passenger fell asleep, when we got to the destination I said "here we are 16th and Valencia". He responded that he wanted to go to 16th and Valencia. I said "that's where we are at", then he said I want to go to 16th and Mission, we went there, then he said he wanted to go to 15th ans South Van Ness. In route to his third destination I felt uncomfortable thinking he was looking for an intersection where no one would be around. Seeing that I have been robbed several times driving a San Francisco Taxi Cab. The thought of being robbed again was in the for front of my mind, so I decided to call the night dispatcher Mike on the phone. I emphasized that I was at 15th and South Van Ness and felt uncomfortable. Mike the dispatcher hung up the phone on me.
When I first started driving a cab for National I was told if you have a problem or concern to call in and not make sense. Which I was trying to hint to Mike on the phone but he did not get it, or as he says simply does not care. I am paying 100 for rent of the car which includes dispatch service. My understanding when I first started that dispatch service included in case of an emergency. Not that this was a complete emergency and thank god nothing ended up happening to me tonight, but I think the dispatcher should have asked are you in danger or some sort of trouble.
When I first started driving a cab for National I was told if you have a problem or concern to call in and not make sense. Which I was trying to hint to Mike on the phone but he did not get it, or as he says simply does not care. I am paying 100 for rent of the car which includes dispatch service. My understanding when I first started that dispatch service included in case of an emergency. Not that this was a complete emergency and thank god nothing ended up happening to me tonight, but I think the dispatcher should have asked are you in danger or some sort of trouble.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Calling into work tonight
I just tried to call in and ask if I could work. I got hung up on when I called the first time. I am on hold right now for the second time to call and ask. I have been on hold for about 20 minutes.
The dispatch service in San Francisco has no incentive to answer calls and get people cabs nor assist the drivers when they call because they get their money at the company anyway from the drivers. centralized dispatch has been suggested over the years but no one listens.
The dispatch service in San Francisco has no incentive to answer calls and get people cabs nor assist the drivers when they call because they get their money at the company anyway from the drivers. centralized dispatch has been suggested over the years but no one listens.
Computer Equipment
I have to drive with this faulty computer equipment in my cab, my first ride of the night was to the airport and the customer shorted me because I could not get the computer to work. Why is it my problem I am fine with the old system where the meter worked.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Taxi Drivers are like Cotton Pickers in San Francisco, California
I received this interesting email I want to share with everyone today.
Today 3/31 is Cesar Chavez's birthday.
What do cab drivers and Cesar Chavez and the UFW have in common?
Answer we are both share croppers. Yup, pick that ole taxi cotton.
Ever hear of cab driver Richard Edwinson? By random chance or karma years ago after I had heard about Edwinson's state appellate court victory for California cab drivers, I saw this guy flag me at 16th and Potrero.
He was on crutches.
When he got in for some reason I turned around and said, surprising even myself, "Good God, man, what happened to you?
He said he was standing in the cab line at Hilton between two Yellow cabs and one gave way crushing his legs in the bumper of the other.
The old bastard Yellow Cab boss Jimmy Steele denied Edwinson's workers comp claim, but the Court of Appeals reached down and grabbed the case and said it raised a serious public policy question relating to cab drivers and the workers comp statute. Steele then did a u turn and tried to settle the case, but the court of appeals refused citing the overall public policy question of who was going to pay medical bills when poor cab drivers got injured on the job.
The appellate court followed the rule of law announced by the California Supreme Court in the Borello case where the workers had signed similar so-called independent contractor contracts with the boss. The Supreme Court said it could go behind a phony contract to determine the true relationship of the parties.
So taxi drivers were held to be not unlike the share farmers, or share croppers in Borello and were deemed to be employees for purposes of recovery under the state workers comp statute which meant that companies like Yellow had to kick in some bucks for their workers in the field and on the raod. Imagine that!! What a concept. Fair is fair.
Yup, we pick that ole taxi cotton.
Speak'n of pick'n remember you can pick your friends and you can pick you nose but you can't ... uh nevermind, skip it.
Say are we having fun yet and partying on for truth, social and economic justice and the American way or whatever way it really is ... and good for GE ... someday we will get the best tax lawyers money can buy and not have to pay a dime just like GE. Gee.
And speaking of that, how about a book recommendation: "The Best Democracy Money Can Buy" by Greg Palast. Does it tell it like it is or what? Check it out sometime ...
Mob Beating at 26th and Mission
Tonight in San Francisco around 2:00 a.m. as the 26 club on Mission Street was closing(intersection of 26 and mission) a mob fight broke out with about 15 - 20 Latinos guys who came out of club 26. Four of the security from the club tried to break up the fight, as I was driving by I called the police to intervene. I witnessed one of the men grabbing a orange and white construction piece and hitting the other man over the head. In addition there were several punches thrown and some wooden clubs used.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
My Pains are Getting worst from an accident involving a San Francisco Taxi
As many of you know I was driving a taxi last year in April when at the intersection of Minna and 8th street. A car crossing 8th street never stopped or yielded and we made contact at my left corner of my car causing my Taxi to spin. The woman was uninsured and the cab company I work for did not have any uninsured motorist coverage. After almost a year I still am suffering from the injuries occurred at the time of the accident because the workers compensation carrier has been denying all sorts of treatment for my injuries.
Several doctors have requested an MRI of my back, where expected spinal damage could be. My right knee cap is getting worst every day with pain. The Sciatica sometimes cause my legs not to operate in the morning, where I cant even get up out of bed.
My head which hit the front of the cab and the side window because no air bag deployed at the time of the accident and the seat belt locking mechanism broke has been very troublesome for me. One MRI showed white spots of the brain, but the doctor did not want to investigate it any further.
I wonder how much longer I can hold out working with so much pain. Of course I could take pain pills but I drive a taxi and don't think its a great idea because of the side effects of the pain killers. I simply wish those involved helping with this case would have seen I need some time off to heal, but to this date I have only had about two weeks off of work. I still did not receive my initial workers compensation check from my time off.
If you have any suggestions or a possible personal injury lawyer who might help please have them call me at 415-240-2433 or email me at clark_dean@sbcglobal.net
Dean Clark
Several doctors have requested an MRI of my back, where expected spinal damage could be. My right knee cap is getting worst every day with pain. The Sciatica sometimes cause my legs not to operate in the morning, where I cant even get up out of bed.
My head which hit the front of the cab and the side window because no air bag deployed at the time of the accident and the seat belt locking mechanism broke has been very troublesome for me. One MRI showed white spots of the brain, but the doctor did not want to investigate it any further.
I wonder how much longer I can hold out working with so much pain. Of course I could take pain pills but I drive a taxi and don't think its a great idea because of the side effects of the pain killers. I simply wish those involved helping with this case would have seen I need some time off to heal, but to this date I have only had about two weeks off of work. I still did not receive my initial workers compensation check from my time off.
If you have any suggestions or a possible personal injury lawyer who might help please have them call me at 415-240-2433 or email me at clark_dean@sbcglobal.net
Dean Clark
San Francisco Taxi in need of repair
Tonight I had to drive a taxi with no Video Camera in it again. When I asked at the garage they told me the camera fell off the windshield. I also wrote the cab up for a faulty exhaust/muffler, and problems with the breaks.
My Sunday cab had no top light which made it difficult to make any money, when I told frank our night dispatcher he laughed and thought it was funny that I could not make any money because of the out of order top light. Still expected a tip after the laugh on my expenser of making only 35 for a twelve hour shift.
My Sunday cab had no top light which made it difficult to make any money, when I told frank our night dispatcher he laughed and thought it was funny that I could not make any money because of the out of order top light. Still expected a tip after the laugh on my expenser of making only 35 for a twelve hour shift.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Crazy Child
When I was a teacher people told me the children are just misunderstood. I have always believed we need to teach the children consequences for their actions early on. I wonder if we gave some children more consequences would this type of behavior stop? The director of one school told me that a child who stabbed a guy in the Mission was misunderstood and the teachers should lie to help the child not get into more trouble. Sorry folks I could not do this. Plus this is one of the schools that SFUSD sends troubled youth.
I told the director the child needed to be placed in jail. The child stabbed the guy 17 times. I also thought that the director of the school should have been put away too for being so misled. Believe it or not I got fired for not being able to lie to help this child.
I told the director the child needed to be placed in jail. The child stabbed the guy 17 times. I also thought that the director of the school should have been put away too for being so misled. Believe it or not I got fired for not being able to lie to help this child.
Cassandra and I had a conversation
Over the years I always have suspected Cassandra of being unethical and somewhat suspicious. I worked with her at the high school and even there she was always offensive and trying to get me in some sort of trouble. Tonight when we spoke on the phone she said she is concerned I might commit suicide because of all the issues arising. I wish I knew what issues she speaks of; is it the guys at the company that hate fags? is it the fact that someone has to feel as though to follow my life and say negative things to people I want to try and be friends with? I wish she would just tell me....... Also I was talking to her about the issue with a bookkeeper I hired a year or so ago who did everything she could to mess up my books and cause problems. Cassandra said that is only one side of the story.
Tonights Dispatcher
We have a man at the taxi Company that appears to think his dispatching is professional and cute. When you take an order from him over the radio there is a delay in getting the address. I would think better efficiency on dispatching would be the key to getting more customers picked up and the need of less taxis on the street. I have talked to Bruce about this and all he says is many think he is a good dispatcher. It is so funny how we can sometimes live in a world of lies.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Came into work on Friday
I came into work on Friday March 25th as instructed to over the phone. When I got there I was told there was no cab for me. I assumed he was joking around. M said whats wrong are you gonna cry and are you gonna report me. I simply was coming into work and wanted to go out. I did get to go out though.
Late Night Dispatcher
Last night while I was working I checked in for an order on Hampshire Street. When I got to the order I said " Ready at 19th and Hampshire". The dispatchers response was you cant even teach the kids, stop being rude and talking when others checked in. The radio was silent when I told him I arrived. I don't think it is very professional for the dispatcher to speak in front of about 90 drivers and whatever customers are in the cab and mention my name. I thought this was over after many years of harrassing me over the radio. This happened about 3:00 a.m.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Frida got sick the other day
Why is it the drivers problem if Frida got sick the other day? This is what I am talking about when I speak of harassment at my own home. It is none of their business what happened to Frida. She had indigestion.
No Apparent Injury
I was told last night by a medallion holder that I dont have an apparent injury from my accident a year ago. and if the workers compensation dont pay for it I should pay for it. Thanks for your comments Mary
John hope you can make the protest
John hope you can make the protest, hang in there we are simply just trying to express our concerns. Sorry I did not know the media names that are coming on Monday when you called yesterday. I am sure we can get a media packet together for the next one.
March 19th
After work last night I come in and Frank immediately tells me that if Mike quits I would be out of a job, because mike is the only one who wants me to work at National.
A little history Frank is the dispatcher who likes to yell at me and other drivers because he might not have pot on any given day. I on several occasions are yelled at him for no reason at all. There should be no reason why a dispatcher yells at people who drive a cab. In addition when I worked as a teacher and ran for District 6 Supervisor he would make comments over the dispatch radio in a rude and obnoxious fashion. If someone doe not like a person they don't need to harass them over the dispatch radio so other drivers and passengers can hear. Yes he would use my full name as he did this.
A little history Frank is the dispatcher who likes to yell at me and other drivers because he might not have pot on any given day. I on several occasions are yelled at him for no reason at all. There should be no reason why a dispatcher yells at people who drive a cab. In addition when I worked as a teacher and ran for District 6 Supervisor he would make comments over the dispatch radio in a rude and obnoxious fashion. If someone doe not like a person they don't need to harass them over the dispatch radio so other drivers and passengers can hear. Yes he would use my full name as he did this.
Danielle
I met Danielle one night driving a cab and dropped him off at work. We had a long conversation about friends and getting to know one another and talked about going out for a beer and playing pool. Sometimes we meet intersting people when we are working like Mundo and Edwardo. Its funny though they change over time with consistency and pattern. They all seem like they would like to get me fired from my taxi job.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Cornering an illegal taxi
I worry about Peter wanting to corner an illegal taxi and calling the police. I am afraid acts like this will not look good on taxi drivers. I dont want to do it, but he still tries when I talk to him.
Recorded
Why are the dispatchers and other drivers worried about being recorded if they are doing nothing wrong?
Threatned to go to jail
I was told by a dispatcher that while I was running for office, if I spoke up about the taxi industry that I would be put in jail.
March 15th Pains!
Another rainy cold night my back spinal area was in so much pain I had to leave early and go home and rest. I was told if I ever had difficulties working when in pain I could go home and only be charged for the hours I worked. Since the accident that has never occurred. Whenever I ask the dispatchers they say they know nothing about it.
Camera Not working in my cab
I know the cameras were installed to protect the drivers (HAHA) we all know why they were installed. Well when I went to my usual cab for Sundays shift the battery was low and would not start, so I had to drive 2975. Another cab with fumes and no operating camera to help protect me while I drive. This was on Sunday March 13th.
Work March 15th
I found it quite interesting when I came into work on Tuesday March 15th, that Dan came out while I was getting into my cab and said he just read the article Jon Han produced. He asked me if I told John we do not have Workers Compensation at National. I told him no does it say that, I will need to speak to John about that. After speaking to John we went over the article and I could not find where it says National does not have Workers Compensation.
The article is located here:
http://www.taxitownsf.com/2011/03/californias-workers-comp-laws-and-san.html
The article is located here:
http://www.taxitownsf.com/2011/03/californias-workers-comp-laws-and-san.html
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Ganged up on at work as San Francisco Taxi Driver
Over the years of working for this cab company. I have felt ganged up on in many ways.
While employed as a teacher and going to school for my Masters and credential. I had experienced lots of comments coming over the dispatch radio about my teaching and the disapproval of a gay man teaching in public schools. In addition, many drivers including dispatch engaged in obtaining information of where I worked and tried to be buddy buddy with me to get the information. Needless to say I am not working for the District anymore and even tried to work at a couple more schools after. As soon as I was able to find another job at a school. People who work at the cab company wanted to know the name of the school and the location. As soon as the others found out I started to have problems at those new schools. Is it coincidence or harassment?
It does appear as many at work do not like me and in fact hate me. That is why I have experienced attacks by other workers and including damage to my own vehicle. Everything was fine at the company until they found out I was gay which I never disclosed. I don't understand why professionalism can not be practiced by others I work with instead of threats, and damage to my vehicle. Why they choose to speak about someone they hate to others is very immature and has expanded the hate towards me at work to the extent that there is no one at work I can really talk to. I am being watched and noticed when new drivers begin to work at the company and I am seen speaking with them, others who hate me take note and make it a point to speak to them. The conversations will be going along fine for a couple of times and then suddenly they don't want to speak to me anymore because of things they heard at work from others. Leaving me with out being able to make friendships or friendly work environment. I have heard some of the things they say about me like Im a fagot, I like getting it up the ass, and hes trouble. Also I heard I go to the front office with my problems which is the furthest thing from the truth. I only had to on one occasion when I was confronted in front of many drivers in line and a driver decided to threaten me in front of them.
The harassment continues over many fronts, when I ran a small sock business on Ebay, when I got my first Chihuahua, working at the school, when I bought my SUV, my partner, and really anything I do. Why is it any business of people I work with that hate me to want to know anything about my life? Just to cause problems for me and stalk me outside of work. It was bad enough they punished me in cars that had carbon monoxide leaks that have cause problems for my lungs and head.
I heard these folks are jealous is what people told me, that is not true its that they just simply don't like gay people. As a San Francisco taxi driver, I have no one to turn to. If a person starts to speak out then you get ganged up on by everyone, which has been happening. To the extent I was told by a night dispatcher that I will get fired and he will find a way. For years the dispatcher has yelled at me in front of others making hateful comments towards me. In fact last night, I was yelled at by him. He uses the excuse that he does have pot and sometimes will call to apologize. However why should a driver be subjected to this type of activity and harassment at work whatever the reason.
While employed as a teacher and going to school for my Masters and credential. I had experienced lots of comments coming over the dispatch radio about my teaching and the disapproval of a gay man teaching in public schools. In addition, many drivers including dispatch engaged in obtaining information of where I worked and tried to be buddy buddy with me to get the information. Needless to say I am not working for the District anymore and even tried to work at a couple more schools after. As soon as I was able to find another job at a school. People who work at the cab company wanted to know the name of the school and the location. As soon as the others found out I started to have problems at those new schools. Is it coincidence or harassment?
It does appear as many at work do not like me and in fact hate me. That is why I have experienced attacks by other workers and including damage to my own vehicle. Everything was fine at the company until they found out I was gay which I never disclosed. I don't understand why professionalism can not be practiced by others I work with instead of threats, and damage to my vehicle. Why they choose to speak about someone they hate to others is very immature and has expanded the hate towards me at work to the extent that there is no one at work I can really talk to. I am being watched and noticed when new drivers begin to work at the company and I am seen speaking with them, others who hate me take note and make it a point to speak to them. The conversations will be going along fine for a couple of times and then suddenly they don't want to speak to me anymore because of things they heard at work from others. Leaving me with out being able to make friendships or friendly work environment. I have heard some of the things they say about me like Im a fagot, I like getting it up the ass, and hes trouble. Also I heard I go to the front office with my problems which is the furthest thing from the truth. I only had to on one occasion when I was confronted in front of many drivers in line and a driver decided to threaten me in front of them.
The harassment continues over many fronts, when I ran a small sock business on Ebay, when I got my first Chihuahua, working at the school, when I bought my SUV, my partner, and really anything I do. Why is it any business of people I work with that hate me to want to know anything about my life? Just to cause problems for me and stalk me outside of work. It was bad enough they punished me in cars that had carbon monoxide leaks that have cause problems for my lungs and head.
I heard these folks are jealous is what people told me, that is not true its that they just simply don't like gay people. As a San Francisco taxi driver, I have no one to turn to. If a person starts to speak out then you get ganged up on by everyone, which has been happening. To the extent I was told by a night dispatcher that I will get fired and he will find a way. For years the dispatcher has yelled at me in front of others making hateful comments towards me. In fact last night, I was yelled at by him. He uses the excuse that he does have pot and sometimes will call to apologize. However why should a driver be subjected to this type of activity and harassment at work whatever the reason.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
California's Workers' Comp Laws and San Francisco's Taxi Industry, A Cab Driver's Experience. By John Han
Saturday, March 5, 2011
California's Workers' Comp Laws and San Francisco's Taxi Industry, A Cab Driver's Experience. By John Han
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| SF Taxi Driver Dean Clark. |
The following is a highlight and recap of a discussion I had with SF taxi driver Dean Clark.
Clark is a gate and gas taxi driver working night shifts at National Cab. Clark alleges that in April of 2010, his taxi was struck by another vehicle driven by an uninsured motorist at 8th St. and Minna, in which he had suffered, and still suffers from injuries unaccounted for today. Here are the highlights of the accident, and the details of what later took place with the cab company, as they have been relayed to me.
In April of 2010, Clark was driving southbound on 8th St. in the far right lane. A woman in another car was heading westbound on Minna. She attempted to crossover 8th St to get to the other side of Minna, but in doing so, struck the front driver’s side of Clarks taxi, causing the taxi to spin. Clark says that upon impact, the taxi’s seatbelt locking mechanism had failed, and that no airbags were deployed because the vehicle did not have any. Consequently, Clark’s head hit the front windshield, and as the car spun, also hit the side window, causing blurred “temporary blindness”, for several hours.
According to Clark’s telling of the accident, the cab company at the time, and possibly the police report, claimed that the woman had liability insurance. But after filing a claim, the insurance company said that the woman’s policy had been canceled recently because of lack of payment, and then had then been reinstated, but only after the accident occurred. Therefore, the woman’s insurance company denied the injury claim.
This led to Clark being referred to National Cab’s attorney. But Clark says the cab company’s attorney didn’t want to represent Clark in a workers’ comp claim nor defer him to another attorney. Neither did the cab company post information about California’s Workers’ Compensation laws anywhere at the company where drivers could see it.
According to Clark, after National Cab had initially delayed in filing a workers’ comp claim, and then seemingly repudiated further attempt to do so, he contacted the cab company’s insurance carrier, which he identifies as Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association (PMA), a Pennsylvania lobbying firm.
According to PMA’s website, the firm is involved in, “enacting workers’ compensation reform”, and since 1909, has been, “defending free enterprise and fighting to improve the competitiveness of Pennsylvania’s business climate.”
Clark says that when he contacted the firm, it had denied any knowledge of a policy number associated with National Cab, and that the medical bills resulting from the accident to date have gone unpaid. After that incident, Clark sought help from a private attorney and is currently being represented by that attorney.
In another matter not related to the accident, but related to Clark’s relationship to National Cab, an MRI revealed white spots in his brain. Clark says he believes it could be from long-term exposure to cab fumes.
Dean Clark…
“For the first three years or so driving for National Cab, I was placed in some of the most nastiest cabs you could ever imagine. And my clothes and everything else would smell like a sweet odor. And we’re not talking about dirty. We’re talking about some sort of odor or gas because it would make you light headed. I would have headaches sometimes for almost seven hours and would have to take Exedrin. So I started getting worried about that so I went to the doctor (Kaiser). The doctor there took three different blood tests at three different random times throughout the course of a year or two, and found that I have high carbon monoxide levels.”
According to Clark, National Cab told him his high carbon monoxide levels were the result of him being a smoker.
Going back to the accident though, he says he has been diagnosed with post concussion syndrome, three herniated discs, vision issues and others as a result. He continues to see a neurologist, and still suffers pain from the three herniated discs.
As for airbags, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) does not require taxis to be equipped with airbags, which Clark believes could have dramatically prevented the injuries. Nor does it require cab companies to carry uninsured motorist coverage in their insurance policies. But Transportation Code Division II, Article 1100 Section 1106(i) does state…
“Color Scheme Permit Holders shall comply with all applicable state laws and regulations concerning Workers’ Compensation”. (Transportation Code Division II, Article 1100 Section 1106(i))
With regards to state laws and regulations concerning Workers’ Compensation, this following excerpt is from a memorandum put out in 2008 by the former SF Taxi Commission.
"The state judicial system has affirmed that California taxi drivers are employees for purposes of workers' compensation in certain employment situations. These employment situations have included "gate and gas" drivers. Local cases making this finding include Tracy v. Yellow Cab Co-Operative, Inc. (San Francisco Superior Court No. 938786) and Yellow Cab Cooperative Inc. V. Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (1991) 226 Cal.App.3d 1288. Another case on point is Santa Cruz Transportation, Inc. v. Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board (1991) 235 Cal.App.3d 1363."
In the same memorandum, the former taxi commission held that San Francisco cab companies are required by State laws to purchase and maintain workers’ compensation coverage for individual taxi drivers. This excerpt cited local codes pursuant to California’s laws.
"Municipal Police Code 1147.4 provides:
All persons, firms or corporations holding taxicab color scheme permits pursuant to Section 1125(b) of this Article shall comply with all applicable state statues concerning workers' compensation and any applicable regulations adopted pursuant to those statutes. Taxicab color scheme permit holders must include a sworn statement attesting to compliance with such applicable statutes and regulations as part of an annual filing required by Section 1095 of this Article.
Rule 5.H.16 requires that "the color scheme holder must have a copy of Certificate of Worker's Compensation Insurance prominently displayed at the place of business so that it is visible to drivers." This is based on California Labor Code 3350 which requires the same posting. Notably, Labor Code 3550 administers a civil penalty of up to $7000 for failure to post the certificate. The Commission also assesses a fine of $75 for the first offense of failure to post a current certificate."
(SF Taxi Commission memorandum 2008)
“I’m fed up. You can’t treat people like this”, says Clark. He says he wants the lawmakers and the public to understand his experience. “I hope that they gain some perspective of what San Francisco taxi drivers have to go through, and how underrepresented we truly are”, he says.
“Also when it comes to looking for a lawyer, for looking for someone to represent us, we’re just underrepresented across the board. And things like that need to change.”
Clark has an attorney, and says he expects his case will eventually go to court.
San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency can fine a cab company for failure to comply with workers' compensation laws $45 per day for each day without insurance. (Transportation Code Division II, Article 1100 Section 1106(i) Schedule of Fines)
Seymore gets fired, I try to help him
Seymore gets fired from National. the story I was told that Seymore was driving a woman to Burlingame. While he was driving her he states the woman grabbed the wheel of the car while he was on the highway. ( I found out later that this is not true) He then decides to pull over and turn his body and lift his legs and kick her from the car calling her a "crazy white bitch". I dont know why race was added but that is a quote. After hetting to know the guy I found out how racist and discriminatory he is against whites, Mexicans and gays.
Here are some of the texts I received from him over the year!
WED Jan 5th 2:59 a.m.
I am rally do n bad but I really appreciate your concern Dean thank u
Fri Jan 7th 2:07 a.m.
Suggested price 11 students 7 gays 69
Sat Jan 8th 6:22 p.m.
Can u bring some food from Frank an Byron Im hungry
sat Jan 8th 6:24 p.m.
Not yet waiting on funding.... How about the food?
Sun Jan 9 8:55 p.m.
So listen you seem like u want to take this further u will be unemployed in 48 hours start countin
Sun Jan 9th 9:04 p.m.
I'm real serious its a done deal
Sun Jan 9 9:29 p.m.
U know i really have time to, do this but you keep pushin me and dont realize what I can do.
Sat Jan 15th 11:57 p.m.
Kind of
Sat Jan 15 11:59 p.m.
yes yes yes
Sun Jan 16th 1:51 p.m.
I can't go now im n Fairfield b back in sissy land 1 hour
Sun Jan 16th 1:54 p.m.
1 hour i would enjoy seeing u
Sun Jan 16th 2:24 p.m.
The reason i conflicted with u is that u an i are same loving people no more no less
Sun Jan 16th 2:33 p.m.
I here
Sun Jan 16th 3:13 p.m.
What time
Sun Jan 16th 3:15 p.m.
How about now
Sun Jan 16th 7:03 p.m.
Great lunch more u r a friend thank you for being my friend Dean
Mon Jan17th 4:02 p.m.
Im at MODA Museum but ill c u 2 nite
Tues Jan 18th 12:49 p.m.
Im waitin on u to call me
Fri Jan 21st 2:06 p.m.
Dont you ever give me no fag ass guilt trip i got more integrity in my finger than you have n your whole body u r a sick ass mother fucker
Fri Jan 21st 3:54 p.m.
Probably
Fri Jan 21st 4:34 p.m.
What u did in your hateful moment will definately make the newspaper we r go n to pursue this to the limit Kip hass all the Emails u ficked up u r finished in SF
Fri Jan 21st 4:34 p.m.
U started this shit Saturday maybe
Fri Jan 21st 9:15 p.m.
Later real bad hair day Dean
Fri Jan 21st 9:17 p.m.
Me and my pscho family
Sat Jan 22 4:27 p.m.
Had inner eye surgery this am feeling drugged gay ass doctor ill call later im sleepin
Sun Jan 30th 2:37 p.m.
Sorry ive been in VA hospital Redwood city call u tomorrow if i make thr night. Saw PHILADELPHIA powerful movie
Tues Feb 1st 9:44 p.m.
Im just out of redwood City VA hospital if u can pick me up at CAL TRAIN AT 1001 I will pay u RSVP
Tues Feb 1 10:46 p.m.
ok
Mon Feb 7 3:26 p.m.
I am done with dean racist clark
Mon Feb 7 5:06p.m.
I was sitting n Vertigo when u came n with your lies. GIRLFRIEND IN NOVATO they, the truth about youracism as will National in the morning
Mon Feb 21st 4:57 p.m.
Dont get shit twisted I will be filing charges in SF Civil court on a number of charges on tuesday. See u n court asshole.
Mon Feb 21st 11:51 a.m.
By my reords i show that you still owe me 160.00 in wages for the year ending 2010 if not received imme I must complaint w election board Feb 22
Mon Feb 21st 11:57 p.m.
I will also file a motion with National Taxi since i was working out of its vehicles. ITS THE LAW. IM DO N THAT TODAY. U NEED PAY PEOPLE
Mon Feb 21st 12:37 p.m.
I have also emailed my non pay record to the CHRONICLE INSIDER column. They know u/ The story should be n issue Feb 27 on SF GATE Feb 26. Im not the dumb nigga yo
Mon Feb 21st 12:41 p.m.
Im go n MTA to file a racial discrimination case based on your statements. U do not deserve to have a badge. Not n my city
As you can see from some of the actual texts I got from him. either he is two cards short of a full deck or very racist against me because of who I am.
I have had a lot of these types of situation at the cab company after they found out I was gay and have a partner. I was also threatened about my partner from anti gay folks at the garage.
Here are some of the texts I received from him over the year!
WED Jan 5th 2:59 a.m.
I am rally do n bad but I really appreciate your concern Dean thank u
Fri Jan 7th 2:07 a.m.
Suggested price 11 students 7 gays 69
Sat Jan 8th 6:22 p.m.
Can u bring some food from Frank an Byron Im hungry
sat Jan 8th 6:24 p.m.
Not yet waiting on funding.... How about the food?
Sun Jan 9 8:55 p.m.
So listen you seem like u want to take this further u will be unemployed in 48 hours start countin
Sun Jan 9th 9:04 p.m.
I'm real serious its a done deal
Sun Jan 9 9:29 p.m.
U know i really have time to, do this but you keep pushin me and dont realize what I can do.
Sat Jan 15th 11:57 p.m.
Kind of
Sat Jan 15 11:59 p.m.
yes yes yes
Sun Jan 16th 1:51 p.m.
I can't go now im n Fairfield b back in sissy land 1 hour
Sun Jan 16th 1:54 p.m.
1 hour i would enjoy seeing u
Sun Jan 16th 2:24 p.m.
The reason i conflicted with u is that u an i are same loving people no more no less
Sun Jan 16th 2:33 p.m.
I here
Sun Jan 16th 3:13 p.m.
What time
Sun Jan 16th 3:15 p.m.
How about now
Sun Jan 16th 7:03 p.m.
Great lunch more u r a friend thank you for being my friend Dean
Mon Jan17th 4:02 p.m.
Im at MODA Museum but ill c u 2 nite
Tues Jan 18th 12:49 p.m.
Im waitin on u to call me
Fri Jan 21st 2:06 p.m.
Dont you ever give me no fag ass guilt trip i got more integrity in my finger than you have n your whole body u r a sick ass mother fucker
Fri Jan 21st 3:54 p.m.
Probably
Fri Jan 21st 4:34 p.m.
What u did in your hateful moment will definately make the newspaper we r go n to pursue this to the limit Kip hass all the Emails u ficked up u r finished in SF
Fri Jan 21st 4:34 p.m.
U started this shit Saturday maybe
Fri Jan 21st 9:15 p.m.
Later real bad hair day Dean
Fri Jan 21st 9:17 p.m.
Me and my pscho family
Sat Jan 22 4:27 p.m.
Had inner eye surgery this am feeling drugged gay ass doctor ill call later im sleepin
Sun Jan 30th 2:37 p.m.
Sorry ive been in VA hospital Redwood city call u tomorrow if i make thr night. Saw PHILADELPHIA powerful movie
Tues Feb 1st 9:44 p.m.
Im just out of redwood City VA hospital if u can pick me up at CAL TRAIN AT 1001 I will pay u RSVP
Tues Feb 1 10:46 p.m.
ok
Mon Feb 7 3:26 p.m.
I am done with dean racist clark
Mon Feb 7 5:06p.m.
I was sitting n Vertigo when u came n with your lies. GIRLFRIEND IN NOVATO they, the truth about youracism as will National in the morning
Mon Feb 21st 4:57 p.m.
Dont get shit twisted I will be filing charges in SF Civil court on a number of charges on tuesday. See u n court asshole.
Mon Feb 21st 11:51 a.m.
By my reords i show that you still owe me 160.00 in wages for the year ending 2010 if not received imme I must complaint w election board Feb 22
Mon Feb 21st 11:57 p.m.
I will also file a motion with National Taxi since i was working out of its vehicles. ITS THE LAW. IM DO N THAT TODAY. U NEED PAY PEOPLE
Mon Feb 21st 12:37 p.m.
I have also emailed my non pay record to the CHRONICLE INSIDER column. They know u/ The story should be n issue Feb 27 on SF GATE Feb 26. Im not the dumb nigga yo
Mon Feb 21st 12:41 p.m.
Im go n MTA to file a racial discrimination case based on your statements. U do not deserve to have a badge. Not n my city
As you can see from some of the actual texts I got from him. either he is two cards short of a full deck or very racist against me because of who I am.
I have had a lot of these types of situation at the cab company after they found out I was gay and have a partner. I was also threatened about my partner from anti gay folks at the garage.
Damage to Private Vehicles at National Cab Lot
Over the years at National Cab Company many people who work there have experienced damage to their vehicles.
Some have reported that someone keys the side of their cars, many have reported dents in their cars both on the private lot and off the lot. It does not do any good to report it to management because it would be work to look up the videos to see who has done it.
I too have had my share of incidents where my private owned vehicle has been damaged. While working at Arrow Cab Company someone carved kill you in my front bumper. When I have issues with Shane who called me a a faggot at work and sdaid that no fagots would vote for me while I ran for district 6 supervisor. Michael Estrada who attacked me when I was in line at the cab company for no apparent reason except he did call me a fagot as well. I noticed damage to a new vehicle I purchased. When it was reported to the company I was told cant you girls just get a long.
Some have reported that someone keys the side of their cars, many have reported dents in their cars both on the private lot and off the lot. It does not do any good to report it to management because it would be work to look up the videos to see who has done it.
I too have had my share of incidents where my private owned vehicle has been damaged. While working at Arrow Cab Company someone carved kill you in my front bumper. When I have issues with Shane who called me a a faggot at work and sdaid that no fagots would vote for me while I ran for district 6 supervisor. Michael Estrada who attacked me when I was in line at the cab company for no apparent reason except he did call me a fagot as well. I noticed damage to a new vehicle I purchased. When it was reported to the company I was told cant you girls just get a long.
I got shot at in my San Francisco Taxi
In August 2007, I was dropping of a customer at Sierra and Missouri Streets that I picked up in the Mission. I proceeded to go up Missouri street southbound where there is a side street before entering the projects. I decided to do a three point turn. As I backed into the little street a black SUV came flying out of the projects and started shooting at me (seven Shots). I did an emergency dispatch to the dispatcher and got no response. I dispatched in about three times before getting a response. Unfortunately the response was what do you want. I told Frank I was shot at and the location. Silence was over the air. I kept trying to reach the dispatcher with no response from him. I than hit the accelerator and got out of there after noticing there were no bullets in the windshield and I was not bleeding.
I started to drive around in a daze with tears in my eyes. I somehow ended up around 25th and Folsom. Could not really tell you how I got there but I was in so much shock. I then got a call from the 911 dispatcher (this was about 30 minutes after the incident.) the 911 dispatcher asked me where I was at and I could not tell her, she asked me to look at the signs at one of the street corners which I did and was able to respond to her. She asked me if I was alright to drive back to the scene where officers had responded to calls from neighbors and not our dispatcher from our company. One of the neighbors got my cab number off the side of the cab and phone number. I found out later it was the customer who I had given a card to with my phone number who had heard the shots and gave it to police.
I got back to the scene where there were several officers. I met with an officer at 20th and Missouri who tried to tell me the shots I heard might have been from a pellet gun. I assured her they were not. While we were on the top of the hill I looked down where I seen cops looking for bullets or something on the ground. I asked her if she could tell the one cop that was near the location of where the shots were fired to move to the left and down a little. When the officer did that he radioed he found shells that look like they came from a 45. He placed them in a rubber glove came up the hill and then shook them in front of the other officer, which sorry but it made me cry.
At this point the officer asked me to take her to the apartment complex just down the street on Missouri where I dropped the customer off. I did, the officers were able to get inside and knocked on all the doors until hey found the man I gave a ride to. I was waiting outside with two officers. The officers brought the guy outside and told me they dont think he was setting me up for a robbery. I spoke to the guy for a little bit and as we spoke.... More hosts rang out a few blocks away. The officer next to me said stay here with her and two of the cop cars sped off in the direction of the shots.
I stayed for a little while longer with the officer until they gave me the all clear to leave.
I never heard from officers nor detectives regarding this incident ever again. I am not sure they followed up on it.
I started to drive around in a daze with tears in my eyes. I somehow ended up around 25th and Folsom. Could not really tell you how I got there but I was in so much shock. I then got a call from the 911 dispatcher (this was about 30 minutes after the incident.) the 911 dispatcher asked me where I was at and I could not tell her, she asked me to look at the signs at one of the street corners which I did and was able to respond to her. She asked me if I was alright to drive back to the scene where officers had responded to calls from neighbors and not our dispatcher from our company. One of the neighbors got my cab number off the side of the cab and phone number. I found out later it was the customer who I had given a card to with my phone number who had heard the shots and gave it to police.
I got back to the scene where there were several officers. I met with an officer at 20th and Missouri who tried to tell me the shots I heard might have been from a pellet gun. I assured her they were not. While we were on the top of the hill I looked down where I seen cops looking for bullets or something on the ground. I asked her if she could tell the one cop that was near the location of where the shots were fired to move to the left and down a little. When the officer did that he radioed he found shells that look like they came from a 45. He placed them in a rubber glove came up the hill and then shook them in front of the other officer, which sorry but it made me cry.
At this point the officer asked me to take her to the apartment complex just down the street on Missouri where I dropped the customer off. I did, the officers were able to get inside and knocked on all the doors until hey found the man I gave a ride to. I was waiting outside with two officers. The officers brought the guy outside and told me they dont think he was setting me up for a robbery. I spoke to the guy for a little bit and as we spoke.... More hosts rang out a few blocks away. The officer next to me said stay here with her and two of the cop cars sped off in the direction of the shots.
I stayed for a little while longer with the officer until they gave me the all clear to leave.
I never heard from officers nor detectives regarding this incident ever again. I am not sure they followed up on it.
Called Puta at work
Saturday I was driving down mission street when I got to 30 the mission stop light. Another driver from the National Cab Company (ROB) pulls up on the side of me and calls me a Puta with no laughter after wards. Rob was concerned months ago that I was carrying a recording device to work to capture the harassment I was getting while at work. Most people would simply stop harassing me abut apparently not this guy.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
San Francisco Taxi Drivers Income may be Reduced
I just read a disturbing article written in San Francisco Business Times that a newly elected Supervisor wants to legislate more cabs on the streets of San Francisco to cover supply and demand. The article is located at this URL: http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2011/03/01/san-francisco-taxi.html
San Franciscans I don’t understand the oversight on our San Francisco Taxi Drivers.
Currently most cab companies do not carry uninsured motorist coverage for their taxis and are not required to by the city. In addition there in no car insurance coverage for the drivers who drive a cab in the city of San Francisco.
In addition did you know that air bags are not required to be replaced in a taxi after the car has been in a prior accident?
I am aware of this dilemma for taxi drivers because I was driving a car last April 2010 when and uninsured motorist and I collided at the intersection of 8th and Minna. At the scene of the accident I lost my vision temporarily and lost the use of my legs for several hours. My injuries were many because there was no air bag in the taxi to break my head and body from the dashboard or window. I really would have hoped the seat belt I was wearing would have kept me steady, but the seat belt locking mechanism broke. What safety checks are in place to make sure the cars the taxi drivers drive and passengers ride in our safe for the public? I was taken to San Francisco general Hospital where I finally regained the use of my legs and vision luckily. I have been driving a cab for several years and was told when I started by the driving instructor that we are covered by insurance in the event of an accident that is not our fault and that cab companies carry uninsured motorist coverage. Boy was I lied to. The driver of the other vehicle who did not stop or apparently look to see if cars were coming entered into 8th street from Minna making contact in my right corner of my taxi. I found out days later she was uninsured.
This is when I found out that cab companies no longer have to insure the driver behind the wheel (no insurance? What in San Francisco) and to the companies benefit no uninsured motorist either. I was then told by a San Francisco Licensed attorney that cab companies are required to carry Workers Compensation Insurance to cover the driver in the taxi. It has been a year and I still get calls that the bills have not been paid by the Workers Compensation Insurance carrier. Do I really have Workers Compensation Coverage, I wonder.
My point is this San Francisco, we hear at City Hall that we need to protect the jobs of our city workers and their benefits and pensions. What about the thousands of cab drivers in San Francisco who do not have health insurance, no retirement, not insured by taxi companies while driving, no uninsured motorist coverage and apparently no legislation to enforce that an air bag is in place while driving a cab. I did bring this to the attention of the SFMTA Taxi Division. I was told that currently their is no legislation in the city to carry other than simple liability insurance for the taxis and that their is no legislation to require air bags be replaced after a taxi has been in a prior accident.
My message to the board of supervisors and the city of San Francisco is that can we pass some legislation that protects the people and their families who drive in the city of San Francisco? and why do we keep taking money from these already poor drivers who serve our community. I understand that MUNI is broke, but why are we trying to take money from taxi drivers who have nothing and give to the MUNI operations?
Please throw the taxi drivers and the public a bone and legislate something we all would benefit from car insurance for the drivers and uninsured motorist coverage. Also lets legislate that we must have an air bag in taxis, imagine if I would have had a family in my car at the time of the accident, we need safety in our San Francisco Taxi Cabs!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Jane Kims Office Public Safety Issues
I have contacted the supervisor elect Jane Kim's office. This is my second attempt, I walked in last week and requested a meeting time to discuss public safety issues (airbags and seat belts in taxis). In addition the lack of car insurance and uninsured motorist with taxi companies.
Meet and Greets receive oposition
I have been holding meet and greets in San Francisco and been getting opposition on basically just trying to build community in San Francisco. Drivers and dispatchers alike are interfering with my parties I throw at various places around the city. Tee Off, Mayes are just a few. There is a group of drivers who consistently over the years of driving who have interfered with my pursuit of happiness. To include teaching, business, and now the meet and greets.
No sick Day for San Francisco Taxi Cab Drivers
While a taxi driver may get injured in an accident, they can not get sick days unless a doctor gives them a note not to drive. If they don't have a note than they could be assessed to pay their gate fees of approximately 100 per day while they are sick. Which would have to be paid when they come back to work.
I posted Concerns on the following website regarding Scott Weiners idea to pass legislation regarding more taxis on the street.
In addition my understanding is that cab companies are not required to replace air bags once deployed. I am aware of this because I was driving a cab when the air bag did not deploy, and was told because there was no air bag in the vehicle. Its great to assess the taxis as a revenue source to help with the failing MUNI but what about public safety?
I am not saying we don't need cabs, but we should look at making sure we are all covered by insurance when we get into a cab including the driver. There are people driving these cabs who have real families and have to pay bills. With no uninsured motorist nor car insurance behind the wheel. One accident could wipe them out financially.
I find it amazing in San Francisco where everyone seems to be concerned about keeping individuals employed at 100,000 a year. We care nothing about the people who are making 25,000 a year and want to reduce their income even more even though there is no health care or retirement for them.
In addition my understanding is that cab companies are not required to replace air bags once deployed. I am aware of this because I was driving a cab when the air bag did not deploy, and was told because there was no air bag in the vehicle. Its great to assess the taxis as a revenue source to help with the failing MUNI but what about public safety?
I am not saying we don't need cabs, but we should look at making sure we are all covered by insurance when we get into a cab including the driver. There are people driving these cabs who have real families and have to pay bills. With no uninsured motorist nor car insurance behind the wheel. One accident could wipe them out financially.
I find it amazing in San Francisco where everyone seems to be concerned about keeping individuals employed at 100,000 a year. We care nothing about the people who are making 25,000 a year and want to reduce their income even more even though there is no health care or retirement for them.
Dispatcher
Today I go into work and a dispatcher at the company says I look like crap. I should consider working less hours. I drive full time like many drivers. I only look like crap because I am still recovering from an injury accident I was involved in last April.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Another day of Driving
I am off to work another day as a taxi driver in San Francisco. I hope not to have problems with coworkers today. I am tired of the faggot comments and discriminatory remarks. The harrassment can sometimes be overwhelming and depressing. It is hard enough to drive for 12 hours and deal with the public, but than have to deal with this other stress. Hopefully tonight is uneventful.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Telephone Threats
I have been receiving text messages from a driver I worked with at the cab company. The messages are stating that he will have my A Card pulled from SFMTA. I guess this is the retaliation for writing the truth about my taxi experiences?
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Taxi Driving in San Francisco
Hi everyone, I decided to start a blog about taxi driving in San Francisco.
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