Philly's taxi industry divided on DNC strike threat

UberBlack and some taxi drivers are threatening to strike during the Democratic National Convention this July, but the union representing the largest group of cab operators says they are not a part of the boycott – a divide among a group that has recently been unified in a battle against illegal ride-sharing operators in Philadelphia.

Reports began to surface Monday night that the limousine and taxi industry will boycott the convention if UberX and Lyft, the ride-sharing services operating illegally in Philadelphia, continue their services in the city.

"We are asking leaders in the Democratic Party to put a stop to these illegal operations," said the Philadelphia Limousine Association in a statement that also represents the Philadelphia Cab Association and Philadelphia Taxi Association.

But many cabs will still be in operation during the DNC as Ronald Blount, the leader of the Taxi Workers Alliance of Pennsylvania – which represents roughly 1,200 drivers as the largest taxi advocacy group in the city, says the TWA is not part of the strike threat.

So hailing a cab during the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia may not be easy, but it will still be an option.

Ali Razak of the Limo Association says the potential DNC boycott would include roughly 500 UberBlack drivers – based on the group's interactions on their messaging app – and then several hundred more taxi operators, including those working under the 215-GET-A-CAB banner.

But Blount says those numbers are inflated, estimating they have closer to a hundred total active members. "The taxi driver base is with TWA," Blount said.

The Limo Association, which accounts for UberBlack drivers in Philadelphia or the only ride-sharing group operating under Philadelphia Parking Authority's regulations, put out the statement without consulting with TWA, Blount said.

Razak confirmed to the Philadelphia Business Journal that his group is not speaking on behalf of the TWA, however the "rest of the cab industry" is prepared to boycott the event and he received confirmation messages from dozens of members in support of the threat strike.

With the majority of the city's taxi drivers falling under TWA, Blount wants the thousands of politicos, delegates and other conventioneers coming to Philly for the DNC to know his organization's members are not a part of the "immature and irrational" strike threat.

"Philadelphia taxi drivers are currently working with Harrisburg officials in finding a level playing field that includes service for all including people with disabilities," he said. "We believe that cooler heads will prevail."

Razak's organization shares that outlook on illegal ride-sharing operators in Philly, and the Limo Association and TWA have worked together in the past to draw attention to lobbying efforts to regulate UberX and Lyft drivers.

"Forcing UberX and Lyft to play by the rules and pay fair wages is only right and is in the best interest of all Philadelphians," the Limo Association said. "It is not acceptable for a $60 billion company to come in and ignore safety rules, fail to serve persons with disabilities, fail to pay fair wages and fail to pay the taxes and fees required of the taxicab industry that ultimately benefit the city."

Source: Philadelphia Business Journal