19 February 2003
Private taxi drivers in Brest form free union
Private fixed-route taxi drivers in Brest have agreed to form a free union for fear that authorities will increase taxes in response to their recent
refusal to pay for using the city's coat of arms on their vehicles.
Late last year Brest authorities sold taxi drivers coat of arms stickers suggesting they place them on their vehicles. Shortly after, the government announced that the drivers must pay 120,000 rubels ($60) each for the use of the symbol. The drivers, however, at a general meeting last week agreed to notify the authorities that they will not
pay the charge and remove the stickers.
Dozens of taxies in the city now have dirty spots on the doors left by the stickers.
An official at the economic department of the Brest City Executive Committee said he did not "comprehend" the drivers' position, noting that the money was intended for road maintenance.
http://brestonline.com/en/news/news362.html