KENNER, La. – Up since 6 a.m. to gear up for an Oct. 7 rally at Kenner City Hall, cab drivers from AFSCME Local 234 and their community supporters were not dissuaded by a last-minute venue change and increased police presence. The more than 50 drivers have a very clear message not only for Kenner, but also for New Orleans and Jefferson Parish: The rules should apply to everyone.
“I have been driving a cab for over 25 years and I welcome competition, as a small business owner, but only if it is fair,” said Niran Gunasekara, vice president of Local 234/Cab Drivers for Justice. “You cannot expect us to follow the rules, register for the required licenses, pay for the background checks and drug tests out of our own pockets, and then be forced to compete with non-taxi drivers who have to meet none of those financial hurdles. It is not fair.”
Jefferson Parish and the City of Kenner are a few neighborhoods in the region that recognize this. Elton LeGasse, a parish council member and candidate for parish president, joined the cab drivers outside the City Hall to share in his support. “I am on your side,” he said.
The parish has forbidden Uber from picking up fares not only in Jefferson Parish, but also at Louis Armstrong International Airport. Despite the prohibition, however, rideshare organizations continue to operate in Jefferson Parish.
That is why we are out here today,” said cab driver Luay Mohammadieh. “We are asking Jefferson Parish and the City of Kenner to not only continue to deny Uber drivers the right to operate until they comply with licensing, but also to hold them accountable when they break the law. What good are laws if people don’t get punished for breaking them? It’s like the wild west out here!"
At the urging of Local 234 cab drivers, Jefferson Parish has filed a series of lawsuits against individual non-taxi drivers who broke the law. Officials also filed an injunction asking Uber to cease and desist from operating in unincorporated areas of Kenner City and Jefferson Parish.
“We work with the city and law enforcement to ensure that our passengers receive safe and fair rides wherever they are going,” said Eddie Cutno, AFSCME Local 234 political chair. “We urge them to continue to push for fair regulations – ones we are committed to following and obeying. And so should anyone else that wants to provide ride services to the citizens of Jefferson Parish and Kenner.”