Taxi protest not affecting cab wait, says Calgary airport

The Calgary Airport Authority says it's a regular dayin spite of a work stoppage by some taxi drivers.

Some taxi drivers from Associated Cab, which holds the exclusive contract to pick up passengers at Calgary's airport, told CBC News they want the company to bring back two drivers who were fired following a wildcat strike at the airport last week.

• Calgary cab drivers fired after airport wildcat strike

The head of the company has said he will not re-instate the two drivers.

Passengers waited at least 20 minutes to catch a cab or sedan at the airport Monday morning, prompting complaints from people worried about being late for work.

"I'm considering maybe a lawnmower or something to get downtown. I need to get to work," saidAlex Babeanu.

Butairport spokesperson JodyMoselysaid the taxi driver protest is not affecting travel time.

"I think it's normal waiting time. During peak times there's usually a few minutes delay when we have a large influx of passengers or aircraft coming in from different destinations, but I would say it's business as usual at the airport," she said. "It might be a little slower ...during some of those peak times. Butby and largepeople are able to get both sedan and taxi service at YYC."

Wildcat strike in August

This is the third time this year thatdrivers have stopped picking up passengers at the airport.

"This is not a good thing to be on strike all the time. We should make money. We have to pay the bills. But when you create a situation where you cannot work, you cannot work," said driverLaiqueKhan.

Around 300 Associated Cab drivers walked off the job in Augustto protest the dismissal of a fellow driver and raise issues about working conditions at the Calgary airport.

The taxidrivers also wantedall cab companies to be allowed to do pickups at the airport and for drivers to be able to decide whether they want to be on airport duty.

The Calgary Airport Authority had signed a six-year contract in 2010 with Associated Cab tocover taxi service atthe airport with no competition.