[Libloather]

The cab industry wanted a piece of the action, but the latest offer of $10 isn't going over well.

And this is called the RAT home field advantage?

[Libloather]

Ping...

[Blood of Tyrants]

Your average Rat is a cheapskate. Most give little to charity and are crappy tippers.

[dcwusmc]

As a cabbie here in Northern Calif, I would spurn that offer, too... the mayor is nuts.

[John Lenin]

The tangled and worsening labor situation surrounding the Democratic National Convention took center stage last week as the rights of union workers are conflicting with the agenda of municipal leaders.

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino is hoping to get a world-class convention facility in place on time for the Democratic National Convention at the FleetCenter July 26.

The Boston Police Patrolmen's Association had its members out in force around the FleetCenter, and they prevented delivery trucks and a crane from reaching their intended destinations. Police are trying to pressure Menino to come to terms on raises in a four-year contract; the BBPA wants 17 percent and the city is offering 11.9 percent over that period.

Labor situation intense as Democratic Convention nears

[VOA]

Cab drivers know they have the city over a barrel because even if Boston decides
to use shuttle buses and private contractors to move the delegates, there simply
aren't enough to handle the load. Taxis corner the market.

What? You mean to tell me that all the Demo conventioneers aren't each
bringing their own bicycles with them (aboard their airplanes) so as not
to contribute to greenhouse gases in Boston?

Other than their flatulence from too many Boston Backed Beans?

[steplock]

$20 would be a steal!

[ken5050]

Wait a sec..Dems advocating VOUCHERS?

[gitmo]

"If they want to go with $15, I would go for it. But $10 to wait and go in traffic for two hours, it is not fair," another driver said.

Cover your cab with Bush stickers and Republican placards. The convention goers won't get in your cab, but you can still pick up fares.

[swilhelm73]

For those outside of Boston, the faire to take a taxi to or from the airport is normally $30-50 depending on how far out you are going exactly.

[Joe Hadenuf]

The Mayor is an idiot for even considering this.

[Corin Stormhands]

Sheesh! I planned a convention in Boston 15 years ago and we were paying more than $10 for Logan to downtown back then...

[Little Bill]

The cost of a Cab license is about $130,000 from the holder, ten bucks ain't going to cut it. What is the daily rental for a licensed cab?

[AmericanMade1776]

I hear Ted Kennedy has a Parking space (one) that he rents for 2000 a month , maybe he can chip in on the fares.

[nothingnew]

Is NYC planning the same for the Pubs? Wouldn't be surprised.

FMCDH(BITS)

[Criminal Number 18F]

"I'm going to Las Vegas to make some money," another driver said.

Now, there's a Democrat for certain. Then again, we had Bill "So what if I drop a half-mill a night?" Bennett so maybe we shouldn't talk about gambling, a legendary tax on stupidity....

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F

[Libloather]

http://news.bostonherald.com/dnc2004/view.bg?articleid=32961

Good news at last for DNC
By Boston Herald editorial staff
Wednesday, June 23, 2004

See, there are happy endings, even where the upcoming Democratic National Convention is concerned.

First there was that love-in in Southie by the L Street Bathhouse with the head of the New York delegation, Herman ``Denny'' Farrell Jr. proclaiming the beachfront clambake site ``lovely.'' And as it turned out, in a delightfully unscripted moment, a number of those working out in the bathhouse weight room during Farrell's tour were black.

Sometimes ``history'' is just that, Farrell quickly learned. And perhaps he wasn't the only one. In this most tribal of cities, there's nothing like criticism from an outsider to make the locals appreciate how far we have come.

With that little tiff resolved, convention organizers next scored a sound compromise with the city's cab drivers over cut rate vouchers to be given to delegates. More often than not, convention organizers of both parties hired buses to transport delegates en masse to their often far-flung hotel rooms. Boston Mayor Tom Menino, attempting to secure a piece of the business for cab drivers, proposed the vouchers.

It took a lot of shouting across the conference table, but an agreement was finally reached, setting the voucher amount at $12 and allowing the cabbies to insist on a three-person minimum. Massport agreed to waive its usual $1.75 fee and allow cabs transporting delegates to bypass the taxi pool.

The system will allow drivers to collect a decent fare and a fair piece of business. It's amazing what can be accomplished when everyone agrees to come to the table and reason together.