Asian Law Caucus - Position Paper on Transferability of Medallions

Released in January 2009 by the Asian Law Caucus

Protecting Taxi Workers & San Francisco Consumers: Medallion Transferability and Proposition K

Executive Summary
On January 12, 2009, Mayor Gavin Newsom, who has long publicly supported Proposition K, announced a budget proposal to overturn it and make the city’s taxi medallions transferable, thereby generating income for the city. Labor rights organizers, consumer advocates, and medallion holders oppose the Mayor’s proposal, and believe that for the benefit of consumers and workers, San Francisco taxi medallions should remain the property of the people of San Francisco. They should remain nontransferable, issued to experienced, working taxi drivers only. Mayor Newsom and the Board of Directors of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency should honor the Mayor’s earlier promise to protect voter-mandated Proposition K.1 The city’s budget crisis should not be fixed on the backs of hard working, largely immigrant laborers.

To read the entire document please click here.

About Us

Described as a “sweatshop on wheels,” the taxi industry provides some of the most low-paying, dangerous, and economically unstable jobs in the country. In San Francisco, drivers are largely immigrant, and due to their status as “independent contractors,” most make far less than minimum wage. Meager pay combined with long, odd hours, poor working conditions, and employer exploitation make cab drivers an increasingly vulnerable and yet underserved community.

We will improve the labor conditions of San Francisco cab drivers by focusing on three major issues: (1) workplace health and safety, (2) taxi company exploitation, and (3) fair wages. Through an innovative combination of legal advocacy and community organizing, the project provides legal education and representation to taxi workers, empowers them to actively struggle for their rights, and supports sustainable worker organizing campaigns through policy advocacy and litigation.

For more information on how to get involved or to report any problems you are facing, please contact us at 415-848-7733 or at sftaxiunited@gmail.com.