LAS VEGAS – The second largest cab company in Las Vegas has forced its drivers – the first taxi drivers to unionize, more than a decade ago – to strike.
Drivers for Yellow Checker Star Transportation (YCS) had to walk out on March 3 after the firm refused to give their union, Office and Professional Employees Local 4873, information it needed to bargain a new contract. Refusal breaks labor law. The local has more than 1,200 members among the 1,703 YCS drivers.
The firm then unilaterally imposed its last contract offer on the drivers, local President Dennis Arrington said. “Together, we have a refusal to provide relevant information and an imposed contract,” he added. “The drivers were left with no choice but to move forward with the strike.” The local taxi commission apparently sided with YCS, by authorizing other firms to put more cabs on the road at any one time.
The Las Vegas taxi drivers were the first drivers to unionize, more than a decade ago. The AFL-CIO has recently concentrated on aiding bottom-up organizing drives initiated by taxi drivers, domestic workers and other exploited groups, sending organizing aid, money, and charters to groups such as the Taxi Workers Alliance.
Photo: Las Vegas Sun
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