President Obama Congratulates Bhairavi Desai and National Taxi Workers Alliance for historic charter with AFL-CIO

We Are Union.

Monday October 24, 2011

Watch President Obama’s Congratulate NTWA here. 

National Taxi Workers Alliance Becomes 57th National Union of AFL-CIO.

“On October 20th, 2011 we became the 57th union of the AFL-CIO.  We are the first non-traditional workforce (non-employees) to be granted membership in over 60 years, and the first one in the history of independent contractors.  Political Support.  Organizing Strength.  Member Benefits.  Solidarity.  In one word: Power.

For the first time in the taxi industry, we the drivers will have a national voice.  We have our independence and maintain our identity.

We thank the visionary leadership of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka and the Members of the Executive Council for their support.  We also thank U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis for joining us for the ceremony.

Following our charter ceremony, we attended the board meeting of the 5-million strong International Transportation Workers Federation which unanimously voted to grant the National Taxi Workers Alliance ITF affiliation.  After 15 years of struggle, strikes, demonstrations and membership drives – we the drivers have taken back what the taxi bosses stole from us years ago.  Upward and onward.  Drivers united will never be defeated!!!”