A group that represents cab drivers is calling a strike this week over the city’s plan to make taxis more high-tech.
The New York Taxi Workers Alliance, which claims thousands of
members, is set to announce a two-day strike beginning 5 a.m.
Wednesday.
The drivers are protesting new technology approved by the Taxi and
Limousine Commission, including a GPS tracking system and a television
monitor in the backseat. A credit card reader will also be installed –
which would charge drivers a 5 percent fee for transactions.
Drivers NY1 spoke with appear to be split on the idea of a strike.
"Very few people use the credit card in response to the cash or
credit option. Most people do the cash anyway,” said one driver. “It’s
miniscule, the 5 percent.”
“I’m going on strike because I’m just aggravated with Taxi and
Limousine Commission about this GPS,” said another. “We don’t need that
and it’s not fair."
The TLC says the technology is fair and part of deal made in 2004 when drivers got a 26-percent fare increase.
The city is downplaying the strike threat, and another drivers’
group, the Federation of Taxi Drivers, says its members will remain
behind the wheel.