taxi strike, Fort MacMurray

A Fort MacMurray taxi strike that was scheduled to occur over the weekend has been averted for now, but it is too soon to tell is all sides will reach an agreement in order to prevent further strike efforts or not. The taxi strike was averted only after the council put the concerns of the taxi drivers in the agenda for a meeting scheduled for today. The Fort MacMurray taxi drivers are angry that a representative had been removed from the Taxi Advisory Council. According to one of the protest leaders, Abdihanan Hussein, “We have decided to stop the strike. We have been placed on council’s agenda. That is what we wanted. Now we want to be heard.”

Hussein went on to say “Many are paid less than temporary foreign workers and have no benefits, but they are Canadian. I want justice for these drivers and I want the public to know. I was campaigning on behalf of the drivers and always looking out for their benefits. The drivers are so mad. This group can’t be trusted by the drivers. They will do more harm to us if we cannot trust they will guarantee our freedom of speech.” Taxi drivers in Fort MacMurray are angry over increased fees and costs, an dthe fact that EI benefits and workers compensation are not available. Another source of anger is over the fact that Abdihanan Hussein was removed from the Taxi Advisory Council, yet the council will not discuss the reason for his removal.