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Cabbies To Boycott Plaza

Tribune photo by SCOTT ISKOWITZ

Jose Perez received a summons for trespassing at International Plaza after dropping off a passenger. The taxi drivers plan to boycott International Plaza today.

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By RICH SHOPES, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 24, 2007

Updated: 12/24/2007 12:22 am

TAMPA - Cabdrivers say they plan to boycott International Plaza tonight because they're tired of getting chased off Bay Street, a popular drop-off and pickup spot at the mall.

The drivers say security guards at Bay Street blame them for gridlock, especially on Friday and Saturday nights, but fail to take into account valets helping those heading to the Cheesecake Factory, Blue Martini and other cafes.

The result is, cabdrivers are being blamed for the stop-and-go traffic and told by security guards not to return unless discharging passengers, said Robert Desoto, who's helping organize the boycott. Some are being banned, and at least one has been issued a summons for trespassing.

"They tell you if you circle around again or park in the area, 'We will have you arrested for trespassing,'" he said. "It's not fair. We're trying to earn a living and have a right to be there."

Cabdrivers might contribute to the traffic, but between the valets and pedestrians, the two-lane circle already is congested, he said.

Most drivers are independent operators who lease taxis and don't belong to a union. Getting them to join the boycott has been a word-of-mouth exercise for Desoto, whose taxi bears a sign promoting the boycott. Many know about the boycott through discussions at coffee shops and taxi stands.

Drivers Hope To Send Message

Desoto said he expects 50 to 75 drivers to join him, less than half the number of cabs that serve the mall. Even so, he hopes that's enough to send a message to mall management.

"A lot of cabbies are upset about this and say they won't go there," said Desoto, a driver for Affordable Taxi.

Asked Friday about the boycott, plaza General Manager Gary Malfroid released this statement:

"International Plaza's No. 1 priority is the safety of our guests. With the holiday season upon us, making sure traffic flows throughout the property is vital. We value our taxi company partners that come to the center to provide guest assistance.

"All vendors and guests who utilize our property are required to follow center staff direction, as well as city ordinances, for the safety of all our guests."

Desoto and other drivers say they follow the rules, but the regulations are being applied unevenly. Some complain of strong-arm tactics, where security guards complain to police, resulting in the driver being banned from the mall.

One driver, Jose Perez, said he received a summons for trespassing from Tampa police on Dec. 2 after being told the night before that he can't go to the mall for one year.

"This is costing me business, because now I have to tell people I can't take them to the mall," said Perez, who has a court appearance Jan. 8.

Perez said he's not sure what penalty he faces if found guilty of trespassing, a misdemeanor, but a Tampa Police Department spokeswoman said he could face as much as a year in jail, although that's unlikely.

The penalty probably would be a fine determined by the court, spokeswoman Laura McElroy said.

Perez said he intends to hire a lawyer to fight the charge. He was surprised he got the summons after being banned from the mall, but said he thought the ban was for one day, not a year.

"That's excessive," he said.

Another driver, Mohamed Matoussi, said he was banned for a year after a security guard said he was holding up traffic.

"They want you to just drop off someone and leave. You can't even park for one minute," he said.

Result: Taxi Stand?

Ultimately, the cabdrivers want a taxi stand near Bay Street to resolve their arguments with security and help patrons who need a cab.

The drivers say they don't have problems at other malls, where parking areas usually are set aside for them. At WestShore Plaza, cabs park near the entrance.

"We don't have any problems there," Desoto said.

Past cabdriver boycotts have produced mixed results.

Last December, a strike at Tampa International Airport failed to materialize after drivers complained business was suffering when airport officials moved their cab stand to the far end of the terminal, away from the baggage pickup area.

An e-mail sent to Mayor Pam Iorio warned that cabdrivers would turn off their radios and refuse to pick up passengers. However, it was business as usual when time came for the strike to happen.

In 2002, about 50 drivers for Yellow Cab Co., the region's largest service, refused to pick up fares to protest a 16 percent increase in operating fees.

Desoto realizes many cabdrivers won't honor the boycott, but says enough are fed up that it might have an impact.

Christmas Eve will be busy enough elsewhere in Tampa that "Bay Street, we can afford to write it off. Hyde Park, Channelside and Ybor City will be busy," Desoto said. "It will be a nonstop taxi night, all night long."

Reporter Rich Shopes can be reached at (813) 259-7633 or at rshopes@tampatrib.com.

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