NYC taxi strike looming
When I first saw this headline on Drudge, I thought, why would they be so opposed to GPS in their taxi’s? Only an illegal would really have a problem with it because they don’t want to get caught. Sure enough, I was right. I had to read the whole article, but it was there.
(emphasis mine)
Many drivers fear the IRS will use the data to audit drivers and alert the INS about illegal immigrants driving cabs.
The main complaint in the article is that it breeches their right to privacy. But, how much privacy can you expect in a cab? I suspect that the line I quoted is the crux of what’s really bothering them. They don’t want to be caught breaking the law by being here illegally. All I can say is more power to the Taxi and Limousine Commission! Don’t back down. If this can help get some of these free-loading illegals off our streets and back to their own country where they belong, it’s all right with me!
Sphere: Related Content5 Comments
Leave a Reply
Follow Me on Twitter
-
My Links
Good Reads
-
Subscribe
Misc
I don’t get the idea of a GPS system tracking illegal immigration.
The GPS system allows the dispatcher to track the movements of the car, and tells the driver where he is. It would alow the employer to find out how much the cabbie was supposed to be collecting, and so the employer and the IRS could make sure they were not being short-changed. But the GPS system doesn’t track people.
To track illegals, the employer or law enforcement has to find out if the employee is here illegally.
I think the drivers fear is irrational, or they are just raising a smokescreen because they don’t want people knowing what they are really doing when they are on the job.
I think the fear of being audited is what has the illegals worried. They don’t want the IRS tracking them. Although, I’m wondering why they are so worried about being audited? Are they gouging their patrons that badly that they must worry about that sort of thing?
And, yes, I think perhaps your idea of the smokescreen may be a part of it. Are they trying to cheat their cab company out of money that isn’t rightfully theirs? I’m not sure if the cab company pays them for any fare they may have been stiffed on, but it’s an interesting theory.
I don’t understand the privacy part of it–or rather think that their privacy is not worth consideration here. GPS helps standardize service, keep cabbies from gouging customers by pretending they have no idea where they’re going (like my aunt’s experience with a cabbie at LaGuardia not knowing how to get to Flushing–incredible), and keeping them from sitting along the side of the road with their cabbie buddies shooting the bull while on duty (sometimes with fares still sitting in the back). No one likes supervision, but in the interests of fare safety and efficient service, GPS is a no-brainer. I think NYC should hold fast and the wealthy should suck it up and tolerate straphanging for a bit to see this reform through.
I also hope that the Cash Cab is a Cash Scab.
Why are these companies hiring illegals in the first place? Shouldn’t it be their responsibility to make sure these folks aren’t hired (if that’s what someone believes)?
Beacuse, Bobbo, there are no repercussions for hiring illegals in this country. That’s an entirely different post for an entirely different day.