Taxi Drivers Rally in Chicago

AFSC and Partners Support Taxi Drivers in Work Rights Actions

About the Taxi Worker Organizing Project

AFSC and the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago, the premiere federated body representing the cross-section of over 400,000 Muslim Americans in the Greater Chicago area have created the Chicago Taxi Worker Organizing Project to support fair working conditions to Chicago's taxi drivers. Other sponsors include the Chicago Professional Taxicab Drivers Association; the United African Organization, Inc.; and the Council of American-Islamic Relations - Chicago Chapter.

The Taxi Worker Organizing Project is dedicated to humane working conditions for taxi drivers, fair wages and safety for drivers, customers and the public.

Video: Chicago Taxi Drivers Mobilize



Last week AFSC's Chicago office and the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago held a rally and press conference to demand a temporary gas surcharge, no raising of the maximum lease rate permitted by the city, and a permanent 25% fare increase. Click on the image above to see a compilation of coverage from Fox 32, the Chicago Tribune, CBS 2 Chicago, and ABC 7 Chicago.

Other sponsors included the Chicago Professional Taxicab Drivers Association; the United African Organization, Inc.; and the Council of American-Islamic Relations - Chicago Chapter.

Taxi Driving Ranks as Nation's Most Dangerous Occupation

With present fares, gas prices, and lease rates, taxi drivers regularly work 12-16 hours per day just for minimum wages. Taxi driving, already the nation's most dangerous occupation, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), further becomes one of the least healthful due to long hours, stressful working conditions, and a heightened risk of accidents and emergency health situations due to fatigue.

Drivers Testify About 12-16 Hour Days to Earn Minimum Wages

Taxi drivers rallied before the meeting of the Chicago City Council's Transportation Committee, which is considering both a temporary gas surcharge and fare increases. Drivers testified to the 12-16 hour work days, minimum wages, gas prices as the highest in the nation and the need to keep present caps on cab leases. Taxi driver Kenneth Cooper said, "We rank 18th in cab fares but we have the highest gas prices in the United States."

Consumer Services Commissioner Norma Reyes said city officials are open to the proposal, but need to gather more data, the Chicago Tribune reports. Chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Public Ways Alderman Tom Allen (38th) requested comparisons on driver expenses, but said he is open to a temporary measure. "We're going to keep the pressure on," said taxi driver Wolfgang Weiss following the hearing.

For more information visit www.taxiworker.org or contact AFSC Project Voice Network member Prateek Sampat at psampat@afsc.org or (312) 427 - 2533.