Ottawa airport taxi dispute: Why drivers are being locked out

The labour dispute between airport taxi drivers and their dispatcher, Coventry Connections, continues in Ottawa for a third day.

Drivers are not happy about the increase in fees caused by a change in their payment structure, which was negotiated between the dispatcher and the Ottawa Airport Authority.

They refuse to pay so the dispatcher has locked the drivers out from the curb on the arrivals platform.Here is a breakdown of why the drivers are upset.

How airport taxi rights are negotiated

Drivers pay a fee for the exclusive right to pick up fares on the arrivals platform, but they don't negotiate that charge. The dispatcher works with the airport authority to determine that number.

Details of new contract

The new deal between the dispatcher and airport means drivers will pay about twice as much per year as they are now. Drivers say that increase is too steep but the dispatcher and airport have argued the fee is fair.

Change in payment structure

Airport drivers used to pay a monthly fee of $345 to the dispatcher, which the dispatcher says would amount to about $1.50 to $2 per fare. The new plan has drivers paying $4.50 per fare instead of a monthly fee.

Added cost to drivers

The difference in monthly cost would range from driver to driver depending on the number of fares picked up. The new contract could lead to hundreds more dollars per month of fees for drivers

Who gets paid what

Coventry Connections collects money from drivers. Of that money, the dispatchertakes a management fee. The rest of the moneyis paid to the airport authority for rights to the arrivals curb.