Campaigns
| Campaigns Intro |
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Beyond the internationally recognized symbol of the NYC yellow taxi, from Hollywood movies to tourist trinkets, is an industry best described as a sweatshop on wheels. NYTWA fights to restore justice, rights, respect and dignity for all taxi drivers through a series of well designed campaigns. Taxi Drivers begin each day at a negative of $150-$190, paying for the lease of the medallion and taxicab and to gas up. Drivers do not have paid time off, health care, or employee-like protections, including collective bargaining (union recognition), a standard contract or a voice on the board of the industry regulator. Power in the taxi industry is concentrated in the hands of garages and brokerages, the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) - a Mayoral agency which regulates the rules and regulations with oversight provided by the City Council Transportation Committee - and various financial stakeholders from automobile manufacturers to vendors of the TV's and credit cards in the backseat. Our opposition has million-dollar law firms, public relations agents and lobbyists. But when we organize, build unity and act, we unleash drivers' power. NYTWA brings together the collective power of over 49,000 license holders whose blood, sweat and tears make the industry run. Our current campaigns are rooted in struggles for economic justice, workplace safety, and health rights. Our campaigns are designed to change the industry's long-standing inequities through multi-pronged approaches-direct action, work stoppages, media exposure, political advocacy and public appeal. At the heart of all of our campaigns is the active mobilization of taxi drivers and our allies in the riding public. Links for mobile phone users: Raise the Fare/Freeze the Leases Stop Garage/Broker Overcharges
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