Home » News & Events » Past Speakers » Bhairavi Desai
"I still primarily think of myself as a union organizer, but its been transformative for me to develop interests and ideas and interests that aren't quite as big as the union but are important in small ways to me, like learning to play piano or talking about theology with the graduate students at Union Theological Seminary. "
Amanda Ream (2008 - 2009)
Coordinator of Service Workers Rising
UNITE HERE
Co-Founder and Organizer
Taxi Workers Alliance, New York
Bhairavi Desai and a committee of taxi workers formed the New York Taxi Workers Alliance (NYTWA) in February 1998 as an independent membership organization to address working conditions, work protection and other concerns. New York City taxi drivers represent more than 90 countries and work 12 hours a day, six and seven days a week in the most dangerous job in the United States - more cabbies are killed per capita than police. In April 1998, when the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) announced new rules that increased fines to drivers for minor violations, the NYTWA general membership voted to strike. They organized a strike with more than 40,000 licensed drivers withholding their labor for a 24-hour period, making the first yellow cab strike in more than 20 years a stunning success. Their demands included a moratorium over the new rules, an in-depth study of the taxi industry and an end to double ticketing. During the strike, NYTWA membership doubled to 1,400 general members. Since then, NYTWA has put in place health and legal services discount programs for members and has successfully advocated for relief from burdensome and inefficient TLC rules and practices. Ms. Desai explains that the industry is undergoing a transformation as corporations merge, move out of the city or close down, putting thousands out of work. At the moment, NYTWA is concentrating on organizing drivers for the coming battles.
The information listed above was provided at the time of the speaker's visit and may no longer be current.
Receive news & event updates and deadline reminders.