Wolverhampton cabbies protest over wages U-turn amid fears they'll be left out of pocket

A protest of around 50 drivers took place outside the Go Carz offices after they found out the company would not be agreeing to a deal brokered in January to raise the minimum fare for any journey from £2.80 to £3.50. This was agreed between the drivers, fellow taxi firm ABC Cars and Wolverhampton council officials.

However, Go Carz is said to have backed out of the plan at the "last minute" and is reconsidering its position. Drivers say this has left them out of pocket, saying it means they will only be paid £4 a hour for their work which often sees them driving all week, including weekends.

Syed Raza, a driver for the firm, said: "We don't have any family time, we are always in the car. The company don't care about us at all. They're just concerned with making profit and exploiting us."

But Carl Wilday, managing director of Go Carz, said the price rise could have led to a drop in earnings, not a rise.

"Our main priority has always been our customers, but we are also focused on our drivers' earnings. Our view is that the price rise they are proposing would would lead to a drop in customers which would actually lead to an overall reduction in their earnings rather than increasing them," he said. "We give drivers an excellent opportunity to earn a good wage while offering our customers good value for money.

"Having said that, our drivers are very important to us so we are still considering the fare structure to ensure it works for everyone."

Sonny Dhillon, of Wolverhampton Private Hire Taxi Association, said: "The fact of the matter is Go Carz are playing about with people's lives. Since their presence in Wolverhampton, they have increased the number of drivers by 30, 35 per cent in the last five years.

"They've taken those drivers on even though there's not enough work to sustain them and now the drivers are fed up. They've been led up the garden path, false promises have been made to them.

"Now Go Carz have made their position clear, they are not concerned about what their drivers earn."

City taxi drivers submitted a petition containing 400 signatures to the council urging all parties to secure the deal.

In a letter to the council, Go Carz drivers Raheel Shah and Syed Raza, said: "Drivers have to work longer hours to maintain their minimum earning. This situation creates more frustration among all drivers and quality of service is deteriorating day by day."

The deal is still on the table, but cannot be implemented until all parties agree. Until the situation is resolved, the drivers are planning further protests.