Australia faces nationwide taxi driver strikes in protest against Uber
Australia has become the latest country to see mass protests from its taxi drivers calling for Uber to either face the same regulations they do, or be banned outright. Around 400 drivers rallied on the steps of Victoria's state parliament in Melbourne yesterday demanding the government crack down on Uber, which they say is an illegal, unregulated service. "Enough is enough. We will start striking for 24 hours from next week," Victorian Taxi Families spokesman David Singh said in Melbourne. The strikes are planned in Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and New South Wales, with other states also considering action.
Taxi drivers want Uber shut down, or at least a level playing field where Uber drivers have to pay the same fees as Taxi drivers.

Melbourne's taxi drivers, lead by the Victorian Taxi Families group, rallied on the steps of State Parliament on Thursday morning, during the height of the tram strike, demanding the Labor government crack down on UberX, which taxi drivers say are running an illegal, unregulated service.

Taxi drivers will begin rolling strikes across Australia in their fight against ride-sharing service UberX.

Following the vocal rally, the 400-strong crowd marched down Bourke, Exhibition and Swanston Streets before heading back to Spring St.

Taxi drivers striking in Melbourne. Credit: Justin McManus

Group spokesman David Singh, said 24 hour strikes were planned in Victoria, Queensland, WA and NSW, with other states also considering action.

"Enough is enough. We will start striking for 24 hours from next week," Mr Singh told the crowd outside government offices at 1 Spring St.

A global day of action against Uber is planned for September 16. One driver, Kim Dixon, told The Age that Melbourne drivers would join in.