USW to Hear from Taxi Drivers and Community after Violent Attack

REGINA, April 18, 2018 /CNW/ - A taxi driver from Regina Cabs is recovering from multiple stab wounds to the throat, chest and stomach after a violent attack on Friday morning, April 13. The driver remains in critical condition.

The attack serves as a reminder of the brutal stabbing of Iqbal Singh Sharma who was stabbed multiple times in 2016. That attack left him as a paraplegic and his life has forever changed. These two attacks are sadly just examples of the dangers that taxi drivers face every shift, as physical and verbal attacks are all too common.

Despite calls from the United Steelworkers to deal with driver safety, little action has been taken. After these two violent attacks and multiple incidents of assault, the USW is calling for urgent and immediate action from elected officials.

"We are calling on our municipal and provincial governments to take action on taxi driver safety," says Malik Draz, Chair of the USW Taxi Council representing over 600 drivers in Saskatchewan. "A worker should not have to die in order for change to happen."

The USW workers are fundraising to support the family as the driver recovers. Those interested in contributing to this work can contact the USW Regina office at 306-569-9663 or contribute via the GoFundMepage: https://funds.gofundme.com/dashboard/support-muhammad-umar-amp-family

"Taxi drivers are workers trying to provide for their families and come home safely at the end of the day," says Patrick Veinot, USW Staff Representative. "Not only does everyone have a right to come home safely, but all workers hurt on the job deserve access to workers' compensation and we are working to make sure that happens."

"These attacks are just the ones that make the headlines," according to Mohamed Ameer who also drives for Regina Cabs. "Drivers in this city face verbal and physical assaults on a daily basis. We need safer working conditions for all taxi drivers. I want changes to be made before I watch another co-worker suffer a preventable injury."

All taxi drivers and members of the public are invited to the community forum on taxi worker safety:

Sunday, April 22, 2018, at 4 p.m.
Turvey Center
100 Armour Rd., Highway 6 N.
Regina

SOURCE United Steelworkers (USW)