There will be no strike over Uber, say private hire drivers - we welcome it

The association has reacted angrily to comments made by the Bolton Private Hire Operators Association, which said strike action was imminent following Bolton Council’s decision to grant Uber a 12 month license to operate in Bolton.

The chair of the operators association Asif Vali previously told The Bolton News that a meeting of 21 operators had decided that a strike could take place on a bank holiday weekend and could involve up to 1100 cars.

But in response following a union meeting, Usman Ahmed, spokesman for the Bolton Private Hire Association said: "Mr Vali does not have any right to speak on behalf of drivers.

“We are self-employed. We contract the operators to find us work — for too long we have been tied into working with these operators with no regard for customers or drivers.”

Mr Vali said drivers were unhappy with the prospect of Uber vehicles arriving in Bolton — because of the way they operate, including time-related charges.

But Mr Ahmed said his union would welcome the global company — which allows customers to hail a cab using a smartphone application on their mobile phones.

He said: "Uber may be just what we need — an operator that cannot be bought.

"After all, competition is good for business.

“Until now both drivers and customers have had no options — private hire legislation states that the industry should be competitive."

Mr Vali said he did not recognise the private hire association as a “proper group”.

He added: “The things that are being said are not correct — we have the full backing of the associated members of the operators association.

“If people like Mr Ahmed are making accusations then we will have to consider taking action.”

The union said it was now in “urgent talks” with Bolton Council to see if alternative working practices can be brought in if the operators choose to shut their offices during the upcoming bank holiday weekend.