When it comes to Branch Elections, abuse of power goes right to the top of the LTDA COM….Part 2

Come the elections in 2017, again the LTDA tried to ship in large numbers of cab drivers who had NEVER attend Branch meetings with the purpose of rigging the election in their favour but on this occasion the LTDA lost and their candidates for Chairman, Paul Kirby, and Sam Houston for Secretary were unsuccessful in opposing the Branch nominated candidates Anthony Minas and Peter Walsh as Branch Chairman and Secretary respectively.

These two cab drivers were now representing the Central Branch and in their first meeting with the COM were told in no uncertain terms that they were not wanted by the LTDA and were considered trouble makers. The COM actually didn’t want a candidate that they themselves hadn’t approved! The next year was spent with Anthony Minas bringing back answers to the Branch every single month by the ten COM members. Only one or two minor proposals made by the Central Branch were carried through and not one question of any importance answered and in some cases the LTDA COM outright lied and misled the Branch and the Association. This is an absolute abuse of its power and ALL drivers should be appalled at the behaviour of the LTDA COM.

During that year, incredibly, the only COM member to attend a Branch meeting was Steve McNamara.

On one occasion when the Chairman could not make the meeting for personal reasons, Bob Oddy attended a Branch meeting where he and was obstructive and sarcastic towards Branch members and even at one point suggested that the HMRC might look into the finances of ‘troublesome’ Branch Members. It was nothing short of a disgusting approach by the LTDA COM to stop and stifle hard-working ordinary drivers like you from taking part in the Association that you all pay for.

After a year of being Branch Chairman and Secretary those members are then allowed to stand for election to the LTDA COM and, sensing that the COM would have an ‘enemy’ on board, the COM decided that anyone who they do not approve off must be stopped at any cost. They realised that if they were to lose the 2018 Election that potentially 4 non approved and vetted ordinary LTDA members would be allowed to stand for election to the COM in 2020, in fact there might be 6 members, if the LTDA lost the 2019 election. This was simply unthinkable to the current COM. They want an easy life where you cannot challenge them directly. Where you cannot get together collectively and ask serious questions about how they do the jobs properly and justify their huge salaries with perks such as:

Company cars, Private Healthcare, Pensions and paid holidays. All paid for by your subs.

How many drivers reading this have those luxuries?

 So they decided to reach for anything they could to stop this from happening and on the 20/06/2018 sent out an email to all members saying the Central Branch was being suspended and that the Elections were being investigated.

Mr Orange Not so Fun Fact 😦

How many times has the LTDA emailed its members regarding the Elections?

Only one, to tell you its suspended. It’s never informed its members by email of when the Elections are held and when the Elections take place. Why do you think that is? 🤔

 During this so-called ‘Investigation’ members have been ‘interviewed’ by the LTDA COM in what can only be described as an appalling abuse of power. Members have been interrogated and bullied by Paul Brennan and Anthony Street using tactics straight from a Police interview handbook. The LTDA COM have been nothing short of outrageous.

Mr Orange Not so Fun Fact 😦

Did you know that Bob Oddy, Steve McNamara and Richard Massett are ex Policemen?

Lets wonder where Paul Brennen and Anthony Street get their interview techniques from?

After nearly two and half months no conclusion has been reached. This phony investigation is solely being used to stop ordinary working drivers from standing for elections and having the chance to stand on the COM. They do not want YOU to be able to question close up and in person their practices and mismanagement of the LTDA. The Central Branch should be reinstated asap. Drivers have a right to have collective access to the LTDA COM and the Association.

If the LTDA COM spent as much time trying to protect your working practices and securing the future of this trade as they did in preventing ordinary drivers from partaking, as is your right, in the running of the LTDA how much more could have been done? Unfortunately this is only the tip of a very big iceberg of obstruction, intimidation, misinformation and down right lies from YOUR Association all paid for by YOUR SUBS!

The Annual General Meeting is later this month. All drivers should attend and ask why 10 men are doing everything they can to stop anyone they don’t like from assisting this great trade in making sure it survives the hardest challenges it’s ever had.

See you all there….Doors locked and Be lucky 😉