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Updates Desk: Pa. house bill would give taxi drivers workers' comp
The Web site for the award-winning alternative weekly, the Philadelphia City Paper.
Updates Desk: Pa. house bill would give taxi drivers workers' comp
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| Michael T. Regan |
Back in 2008, senior writer Isaiah Thompson wrote a piece about Philly cabbie leader Ron Blount, the Unified Taxi Workers Alliance of Pennsylvania (TWA-PA), and the difficulty that the city's taxi drivers faced while trying to unionize and ensure their rights. A year and a half later, what's one of the basic rights they're still fighting for? Workers' compensation.
Good news on that front: Todd Wolfson of the Media Mobilizing Project got the ear of Rep. Mark Cohen, who sponsored House Bill 1914, which would mandate that medallion (aka certification) owners pay for workers' comp for taxi drivers. Also, for handicapped passengers, the bill would provide wheelchair-accessible cab medallions.
The public hearing for the bill will be on Fri., March 19 from 10 a.m. to noon at City Hall, Room 400.
Thanks for this mention of HB 1914. Taxi drivers have been working with the disabled community to move this bill forward. It has been an educational experience too. I have learned that the use of handicap is demeaning for them. Sincerely, I know that your use of the word in this article is not to be demeaning, but I would appreciate that you would correct its usage.
Keep in mind, cab driving is the most dangerous profession, more dangerous than being a police officer. They have to drive the worst members of society though the most dangerous sections of town. They carry cash but they are not allowed to carry a weapon! They take their lives into their hands daily! Also, they are sitting for 12 hours a day. They are at risk of any number of ailments. Not to mention, one of their responsibilities is driving the sick and infirmed to hospital thus exposing themselves to every known pathogen. Giving them workmen's comp is the least that should be done for them.
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