Success Stories
In all social movements to achieve social change, building partnerships with like-minded organizations and those with similar beliefs and goals is crucial to ultimate success. We have seen this feature of movements worldwide in history over and over again.
The UTCC has always been aware that we will need a broad base of support in the wider society in order to achieve our goals. Cabdrivers in general have a strange and unique position in the lower class of esteem as seen by the government and the people. In no other workforce does one bad experience with an individual worker seem to taint and condition and prejudice a person against the whole workforce.
Victories & Achievements
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June 2008
GAS SURCHARGE HEARING
UTCC turned out more than 50 drivers, and made a presentation to city hall about the need for a permanent fare increase. Due to the professionalism and organization of the UTCC, it was the only drivers organization to be recognized at the City Council hearing.
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March 2008
AN ATTACK ON ONE IS AN ATTACK ON US ALL!
Drivers united to rally behind his UTCC Steering Committee member Stanley Shen, a senior driver who was brutally attacked in broad daylight for no reason. By packing the courtroom and making news on WGN, ABC, and WBBM, the drivers put pressure on the court to punish the attacker with the most serious penalty possible. At the next court date the charges against the attacker were upgraded- “A VICTORY FOR ONE IS A VICTORY FOR ALL!”
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February 2008
FIGHTING FOR MUSLIM DRIVER’S CIVIL RIGHTS!
At O’Hare Airport, Muslim drivers who parked their cars for just five minutes to pray were immediately slapped with tickets. By standing up for the civil rights of Muslim drivers at meetings with the Department of Aviation, UTCC Interim Chairperson Fayez Khozindar achieved a critical victory for all drivers- and ticketing has now ceased!
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November 2007
END THE SKOKIE PARKING BAN!
The Village of Skokie banned the parking of taxicabs anywhere in the Village, which would have had the effect of forcing hundreds of drivers to leave their homes in Skokie. But instead of moving out, drivers decided to STAND UP! UTCC Steering Committee member Sayed Ilyas was the voice for almost a hundred drivers affected by the ban in Skokie, who packed Skokie Village Hall meetings week after week- As a result of their hard work, today, the parking ban has been lifted for the vast majority of drivers living in Skokie!