Auckland drivers may involve other centres if their five demands are not met
Disgruntled taxi drivers will consider a nationwide strike if their demands, which include raising the minimum price of fares, are not met by Auckland Airport next week.
More than 100 drivers walked off the job at the airport after a disagreement between a security guard and a driver last week, but the incident was the tip of deeper issues cited by the Auckland Taxi Association (ATA).
Drivers were concerned that the changes to taxi-rank locations, especially at the international terminal, meant they were missing out on fares and they now struggled to make a living.
At a meeting this week, ATA spokesman Manmohan Singh presented five demands to the airport: moving the rank where taxi companies pay for designated spaces so other taxis have better access to customers; improving relations with security guards; upgraded toilet, water and shade facilities; moving shuttle services; and increasing the price limit for short fares to $35.