The Home Stretch Is “Finally” Here…
This week I attended the International Association of Transportation Regulators virtual conference. I learned a great deal – especially about what the GCLA is doing well. Our association is on the right side of the VOTE NO on Prop 22 campaign. I sat through a session facilitated by Edward Escobar, head of the Alliance for Independent Workers and truly appreciated hearing the different perspectives and why Ubers business model is truly so damaging. I realize it’s odd to be sitting at the table with regulators and unions, but hey, we’re on the same page with this issue and I am proud that we’ve been able to come together in the fight for fair business practices. They may come from the labor side, while we come from the owner’s perspective but we are working together for the common good and that is forward motion.
Prop 22 is in a dead heat right now. Uber, Lyft and Instacart have spent $200 million against our Alliances’ $10 million ad spend. It’s the David and Goliath story to be sure. And, just 5 days in front of the election we are tied. It is anyone’s win. So, what does that mean? It is ALL about voter turnout. If you want a better tomorrow, to reclaim lost market share to the TNCs, and if your care about fair pricing than you MUST GET OUT THE VOTE. Let me repeat, if you want a better tomorrow, you have less than 5 days to become an activist. It does not matter your party; it only matters in the state of California that you vote NO on Prop 22. If you are not spreading the word, if you are not bringing along your friends and family and their friends and family then guess what? We may lose. Do your part and sound off! No regrets!
The other take away from the IATR conference is that www.SafeCleanRidecert.com is ahead of its time and right on the money. This is a hygiene safety certification for frontline employees that will absolutely save your butt in case of legal action taken against your company should you have to defend yourself in a liability suit. I attended session after session with experts who reinforced the importance of training and moreover having proof that your company is taking all the right precautions. The GCLA was quick to endorse SCR and for all the right reasons. California is a state with 40 million residents. Governor Newsome is hyper-focused on Covid 19 and its impact. SafeCleanRidecert.com is enthusiastically lauded in all transportation verticals. Moving people is what we do and there can be no chances taken – now or into the future. Join the smartest companies in the business and get your drivers certified.
We are doing what we can to get through these tough days and praying that the election changes the protectory for 2021. GCLA has been working extremely hard for California livery companies in an effort to ease your burdens. There are a few stand out people that need to take a bow…Mark Stewart (CLI), GCLA legislative chair, is your guy when it comes to Prop 22. He volunteers around the clock and handles all the Vote No marketing. I’m afraid to ask him how many FREE hours he’s accumulated but its in the hundreds, just in the last few months. He is flanked by David Kinney (API) also on the legislative committee. Mo Garkani (C.O.T.S.), the GCLA president also must be recognized. He is on the phone day in and day out fighting for California. When he’s not on a virtual call, he is at the airports working on behalf of all of you or serving literally every committee we have!
This next week is so important. We need everyone to push the Vote NO on Prop 22. Get loud and proud. Let’s GO GCLA!
—Sara Eastwood Richardson
