Call Sign May 2008 - Page 15 - ARBITRATORS ELECTION

The following CVs for Arbitrators were received for inclusion in Call Sign by this magazine’s closing date of Friday 18 April. They are displayed in alphabetical order…

Pat Keefe (G01)
Let me introduce myself. My name is Pat Keefe. I have been driving a cab full-time since the summer of 1971, joined ODRTS at Shirland Road W9 the following year of 1972 and have remained with this circuit unbroken to this day. So I’m of the old school who can remember the days of voice despatch and the camaraderie that went with such halcyon days.
If voted in, I have the experience and judgement to be as fair and neutral as possible. It’s easy to say our rules are set in stone, I don’t believe that for one moment. One has to use discretion where you have a conflict when a passenger has upset you or vice versa. In cabbying, everyone seems all too ready to believe a passenger’s complaint against you. They have the PCO, the police and Ken Livingstone all too willing to believe them. They must be right - they’re the public! You’re only the cab driver, the minions at their service.
I for one, although one should never say never, will find it hard to go against a cab driver’s word or against a single passenger’s word, without a third party to back them

ARBITRATORS ELECTION

up. Lets face it, they can’t do it in a court of law so why can they do it to you and me? Our word should be treated just as truthful and honourable as the public we drive around.
I hope we don’t have to cross paths in any official capacity and thanks for listening…

Alan Nash (A95)
I may be better known to most of you as Nash’s Numbers. Starting late in life, I have only been a taxi driver for 12 years and on Dial-a-Cab for nearly as long. Now 61, I would like to be an arbitrator. I have served on a number of complaint committees and have never been on complaint myself, although I do understand how easy it is for our members to be put in the position of being on complaint. If you give me your support, I will use my two ears and one mouth in that ration to ensure fairness on all sides.

Steve Shaller (R75)
I have been driving a taxi for over 37 years. I recently turned 62 years of age. My first 8 years of cabbing were with Radio Taxis (Southern) and I joined Dial-a-cab in 1979 and have been with our Society since this time, with the exception of a two year break.
During this period and prior to

going data dispatch, I spent time helping in the control room as a part time dispatcher and answering the telephones. Over the years I have been a regular contributor to Call Sign magazine writing various articles. I also contribute the occasional letter to Mailshot.
I am the Vice-Chairman of my residents association and take part in various meetings that involve liaising with both my local borough councillors and representatives of the borough.
Several years ago I offered my services as an arbitrator and I would like to take this opportunity to once again put my self forward in the hope that I can be of service to the Society. I am therefore soliciting your vote in the hope that I can fulfil this wish.

Garry White (L65)
Let me introduce myself. My name is Garry White and I have been a Dial-a-Cab member since 1989. I have been married for 21 years and have four children ranging from 13 to 20 years.
I started working life as a ladies shoemaker. I did that for five years before deciding to learn the Knowledge, which I started in 1985 and finished in 1987. During this time I worked as a postman in the City of London, which helped with learning the Knowledge.
I would like to represent you, the membership, as an arbitrator, which I would do to the best of my ability.

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