Over the past year, taxi drivers in Boston have been working together to form an association to advocate for their rights. Their efforts have resulted in the Boston Taxi Drivers Association, an organization with over 1,300 members associated with the United Steel Workers (USWA). Taxi drivers in Boston earn less than minimum wage due to the rise in the cost of living and skyrocketing fuel prices which has risen to over $4 a gallon. Drivers have no sick days, health care, vacation time, or pensions. Drivers have little to no input over the regulations enforced on them by the regulatory agency that oversee the industry- Hackney Division of the Boston Police. Click here to read articles on this historic campaign!

Workers have been able to get a hearing with the Hackney on a fair increase on June 24th at Roxbury Community College. Many people were unable to speak, we are collecting written testimony. Please email jennifer@massjwj.net with your testimony.  You have 14 days to act to help taxi drivers get;

1. A meter-rate increase
2. An annual review of the meter-rate tied to the cost of living in Boston
3. Establish a Mayor’s Task Force for Hackney Reform (MTOHR), which will include the BTDA, to reform the Hackney Unit to meet the needs of the taxi industry in the 21st century.

Click here to download the pledge support these workers!

The Meter-Rate Increase:

A meter-rate increase is long overdue and critical to the economic survival of Boston taxi drivers

There has not been a meter increase in six years (2002). This is absurdly too long.

In 2002 the cost of gasoline was $1.49 per gallon. In 2008 it averages $3.97 per gallon in metro Boston with many stations charging over $4.00 per gallon. This is more than a 100% increase. Recent news reports predict prices hitting $5.00 a gallon in the near future.

The consumer price index show a 16.21% increase in the basic cost of living (excluding healthcare and taxes) in Boston since 2002.

There must not be any increase to lease or rental fees. This would cancel out any benefit of meter-rate increase for drivers.

The BTDA meter-rate proposal increases driver’s earnings by $5.15 on a four mile fare or approximately $1.00 for each year driver’s received no increase. This is not an increase or unrealistic proposal

Annual reviews of Meter-Rates:

A public hearing on taxi rates should be held annually and tied to the cost of living in Boston to ensure a fair and livable wage for drivers.

The Hackney Unit cannot wait until drivers’ and their families’ economic survival is threatened before making appropriate and reasonable rate adjustments.

Rates should not fall so far behind the cost of living that increases become a shock to the public.

Establish a Mayor’s Taskforce for Hackney Reform:

Mayor Menino needs to commission a task force, which includes the BTDA, to reform the Hackney Division to meet the needs of the taxi industry in the 21st century.

The Mayor’s Taskforce for Hackney Reform should include environmental, labor and community leaders and organizations and be to create a model-city clean-cab industry in Boston that promotes the economic security of drivers.

Boston drivers have no voice in the oversight of the taxi industry and are at the mercy of the Hackney Unit. Drivers are frequently treated without dignity by Hackney. They often act unconcerned with drivers’ need to work.