When all the wise cracks are over --read on this is a serious matter !
As ever the Taxi community will be passed over in any plan to restart the Economy--why ?
Where we are a business we are seen as individuals,Strokers who drive like they own the road ,who work on the margins of legitimacy while walking a tightrope with the Revenue -The State use us as cheap ambulances/staff transport when they are in company of welfare clients,hence covering their public liability-the Corporate world rely on us to freight them around,they see our value as we are cheap labour /Hospitality industry see us as a necessity to freight their punters to and from their high margin businesses/the Public use us if and when they are stuck then slag us off when they cant find us in a downpour or their payday fling when out of their box--basically no one gives a flying fuck about us--and we worked hard gaining that accolade !
There are a lot of senseable people on board here but Jesus there are some not so blessed--the main worry for some how long more can we do nothing and get 350 a week--me I want to work and get my 350 a week --not an insurmountable task if there was a bit of effort/lateral thinking put into it!
Whether or not we get a Government next week there is going to be a shit load of money thrown at each and every trade EXCEPT US !
Buy an electric motor is the only offer--who in their right mind is going to spend decent dough on a motor when there is virtually no work --and the subsidy is just a one off-
Pick any industry that we support ,they are all out with begging bowls,hotels and restaurants want the wage subsidy for up to two years with reduced VAT and Rates---Retail want restart packages to cover any renovations they have to do plus Staff supports-TUI/ASTI will all get extra allowances for teachers to return to work--danger money !-Childcare are having millions thrown at it as they are moaning like fuck--Industry have millions in cheap loans being fucked at them --Transport --Semi State are getting mega subventions and the Private Coach companies looking for similar--these are our competition--why cant we create a racket while sitting on our laptops ?
Our big worry how long will we get the 350 for sitting on our asses--madness !
We are an industry of me-feiners --this has to change ,it was fine 20 years ago when the streets were paved with gold and a great deal of it readies !
Things have changed there is no more press button A or B--technology has taken over which has lead to a major reduction in net earnings !
We have to use all avenues available to us to create a stink--be it Facebook/Twitter/EMail/Istagram/Radio/Tv and Print !
The message has to be coherent and focused,beit at NTA/Minister/Opposition --it cant be the usual shite rolled out by Joe Heron and Co !
Highlighting main points--Leisure /Tourism/Corporate markets all fucked !
Perhaps the Moderator here might put together a possible text to said message which could be copied and sent to targeted individuals ie Local TDs with the original signed off by members here and sent to the Media on a slow day in order to get traction--the Doctors/Consultants did it -
Or one to get all the ranters going --lobby our masters of Technology and PR to use their good offices on behalf of hard pressed Drivers to help them return to work while continuing to get the 350 in line with all the subsidies on offer to others until such time as we return to pre Covit levels !
Let them work for their 15% and if they are not prepared to do so ,rant about them also--they monitor here for sure maybe they will get their finger out !
