Beck Taxi urges drivers not to strike during NBA All-Star Game

Beck Taxi is urging its drivers not to participate in astrike to protest against Uber during the upcoming NBA All-Star Gamein Toronto this weekend.

"In short, don't do it," Gail Beck-Souter, the presidentof the cab company, wrote in a note to drivers. "Some may want to convince you a protest that upsets this big event would help us get our message out. They are wrong. It would only hurt our valued customers and give Uber exactly what they want."

Toronto taxisare heavily regulated but Uberand in particular its ride-hailingapp UberXconnects paying passengers with private cars that provide a taxi-like service for a fee. Cabbies have complained theycan't compete with Uber, which they say is operating illegallywhile they're forced to play by the rules.

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"We're all struggling and dying out there because illegals are killing us," PaulSekhonof the United Taxi Workers Associationtold CBC News Monday.The new umbrella group of Ontario-wide taxi industry organizations was formed in response to the presence of UberX.

Beck-Souter, whodiscouraged her drivers from taking part in a protest that brought downtown traffic to a haltlast December, told her drivers she empathizes with them and that "no one values the dedication you've made to this industry and the people of Toronto.

"But I want you to know that I value your contribution and I'm going to keep fighting for you."

Beck-Souter said sheis going to write to her drivers every day this week to avoid taking part in a protest.

"I know in my heart of hearts there is a better way to accomplish our goals," she wrote.

On Monday,Mayor John Tory said police will have to take "whatever steps they deem appropriate" to deal with any disruption by taxi drivers.

Last week, city council voted against seeking a court injunction to stopUberX from operating, opting instead to wait until new rules are in place. At the time, city staff said they are actively ticketing drivers who operate as a taxi service without thea propercity-issuedlicence.

Last year, anattempt by the city to obtain an injunction failed when the judge ruled that city bylaws did not apply toUberX.

City staff are expected to present council with new regulations aimed at covering both Uber and taxis sometime this April.