Merger unfair say taxi drivers

1:38pm Tuesday 18th December 2007

Taxi drivers have complained about plans to merge two of the biggest firms in Sussex.

Hove Streamline 202020 and Brighton Streamline 747474 plan to join up and form a "super firm" in the new year but drivers are claiming they have not been properly consulted about the move.

The firms were founded in 1936 and have existed separately for more than 70 years.

The two firms currently have about 400 drivers between them.

In preparation for the merger, the 105 drivers of 202020, who are also equal owners in the company, voted for a seven-man committee so they could call an extraordinary general meeting to discuss the merger.

The worried 202020 drivers feel their status in the new firm may be compromised.

One said: "In the new company, we won't have a share of the ownership. We will just be shareholders. I also get the impression there will be a division between in-house staff and drivers. There won't be the kind of equality we have had at 202020."

About 20 drivers, who wish to remain anonymous, say their meetings are now being blocked. One driver, who has worked at 202020 for more than a decade, said: "They are trying to ride roughshod over members' wishes and rush through a merger which is highly controversial.

"We asked for a meeting but the committee we elected said no, the decision had already been made and we couldn't have access to the meeting premises we usually use."

Another driver said: "I wrote to our company solicitor raising my concerns about the merger but instead of responding to me, he responded to the directors. I was told I must seek my own legal advice which I can't afford.

"I thought company solicitors were there to help members as well as directors."

The creation of the new firm is said to be planned to begin in January.

If the merger goes ahead the new firm is expected to monopolise cab journeys in Brighton and Hove.

Andy Charalambous, chairman of 202020 taxis and John Streeter, vice-chairman of 747474 taxis gave no comment.