“Wait, how much is it?”

It’s always something with transporation in New York: if it’s not a blizzard, it’s a steam pipe. If it isn’t a steam pipe it’s a strike.

The New York Taxi Workers Alliance is rallying against a new mandate that would make drivers put GPS machines in their cabs and is asking its 10,000ish members strike for two days starting Sept. 5.

Great idea guys; let’s frustrate paying customers because of something they have nothing to do with. Anyway, the Alliance’s Bill Lindauer explains why they’re right:

There are two issues. One is moral and constitutional, the other is financial…Under the system [mandated by the Taxi and Limosine Commission], drivers are tracked, they’re spied upon. It’s like we’re under surveillance. Not only are we under surveillance we have to pay for the dubious privilege.

Moral issue? Really, now. There are plenty of contract and freelance workers out there who repeatedly use company-owned equipment for personal use, and we’re they’re just as likely to get caught dowloading 100 plus songs a day not working by company technology.

It’s actually more complicated than that, but all the same, how else is tourist supposed to get from Union Square to Fort Hamilton Parkway when he realizes his particular subway line turns into an express route after 11 p.m.?

Featured Song: “Drive My Car” by The Beatles

Source:
New York Cab Drivers to Strike Over GPS EWeek

Posted on Wednesday, August 29th, 2007 at 11:55 am in New York, News. Follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Leave a response, or trackback from your own site.