8/14/2019 Gordon Walker TA Minimum Wage
1/1
Randell S. Hynes(702) 456-2899
November 19, 2008
Mr. Gordon WalkerNevada State Taxicab Authority1785 E. Sahara
Ave. Ste. 200Las Vegas, NV 89104
RE: Minimum Wage For Taxicab Drivers
Dear Mr. Walker,
As you are aware taxicab drivers are employees who are required
to be paid minimum wage. Eventhough the Labor Commissioner
investigator, Mr. Van Valkenburg apprised you in a May 28th letter
thatFrias was not obligated to pay its drivers minimum wage, Im in
pursuit of a fair representation claimagainst the Steelworkers. The
attorney for Frias admitted they are still obligated to follow the
federal FairLabor Standards Act and can count tips towards minimum
wage, as long as they inform their employees.Thats only half the
requirement. They must also make a cash payment to employees of
$2.13/hour. Nocash payment has ever been made to a Frias driver.
Call the DOL to confirm this, 388-6001.
Regardless, there are 10 other companies with drivers who are
struggling to find trips in competition withat least 192 and most
probably 500 more cabs than are needed for the amount of
business.
I believe you have the authority to regulate the minimum wage
problem. As the Administrator, yourcontrol of the issuance of
Taxicab Driver Permits could easily gauge the number drivers
available to drivethe cabs which the excessive number of medallions
have been allocated. Ask for proof from eachcompany that every
driver is coming in with at least $200 to $225 per 12 hour shift.
Thats the range inwhich a driver will probably not earn minimum
wage.
By issuing permits to drivers without assuring that every
permitted driver is earning minimum wage, youare in clear violation
of NRS 608.250 (3): It is unlawful for any person to employ, cause
to be employedor permit to be employed, or to contract with, cause
to be contracted with or permit to be contractedwith, any person
for a wage less than that established by the Labor Commissioner
pursuant to the
provisions of this section.
Mr. Walker, I began my activist work during this week last year
by complaining about the delay anddamage of not having a full-time
permanent Administrator. I believed that once an Administrator
washired, then leadership of that individual would restore
common-sense and fairness to an agency that wasbasically on
auto-pilot. Its been unclear what your presence has contributed to
the agency because theonly things that weve heard from you is: Cab
drivers dont have anything to complain about becauserevenue per
shift is up; a press release that announced the meter increases
before the board had evenconsidered it; and much appreciated
withdrawal of temp medallions at the end of a show.
The staff recommendation made at Tuesdays meeting made no sense.
Mr. Kuzik analyzed the numberssaw no need for more medallions,
asked for feedback and got no sensible responses, thenrecommended
224 extra shifts. Are you obligated to stand by while this
non-sense persists?
Im in the final stages of aligning my efforts with a proposed
new Local of the ITPE, which has put theUnited Taxicab Drivers
Corp. on hold. I have a tremendous following of both union and
non-union drivers,standing by, hoping and praying for better days.
Im haunted by conversations that Ive had with driversafter shifts
where they were taking home less than $50 including tips, and Ive
promised to help. Help!
With Sincerest Regards,
Randell S. Hynes
