Press Release: Cab Drivers Win State Supreme Court Ruling and Merge into One Organization

Cab Drivers Merge to Create the Unified Taxi Workers Alliance
and Win Important State Supreme Court Ruling

On Wednesday May 21st, the two organizations that represent Cabbies in Philadelphia, the Taxi Workers Alliance of Pennsylvania (TWA-PA) and the Brotherhood of Unified Drivers and Owner Operators, merged to create the Unified Taxi Workers Alliance (UTWA). The organizations united in an effort to create one shared voice for the rights of cab drivers across the region. Muhammad Chughtai, President of the Brotherhood, explained, "this is an essential step in showing that we as cab drivers are united in our demands." Likewise, Ronald Blount, President of the TWA-PA, said, "the unification is an important step in our fight to get better working conditions for drivers across the region." In their first act as a united organization, the UTWA will hold an election for leadership in which all 5,000 citywide drivers are invited to vote.

Drivers also received a major boost from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, which last week agreed to hear a case between the TWA-PA and the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) focused on whether the PPA is state or local agency. Cab drivers in Philadelphia charge that the agency is attempting to dodge regulation by not answering to either the Philadelphia City Council or the state legislature. Cab driver and UTWA member Patrick Anamah declared, "for too long the PPA has gotten away with corrupt practices which mute the voice of drivers and residents of the city." He went on, "with the conclusion of this lawsuit the PPA will be compelled to answer the concerns and needs of all Philadelphians, not just the bloated PPA bureaucracy." He concluded, "this will create better working and living conditions across the city and help re-purpose a part of the massive PPA budget to important concerns like Philadelphia Public Schools."

Press Contact:
John Hough: 215.287.0673
johnhough20022000@yahoo.com