Randell S.

Hynes
(702) 456-2899
November 19, 2008

Mr. Gordon Walker

Nevada State Taxicab Authority
1785 E. Sahara Ave. Ste. 200
Las Vegas, NV 89104

RE: Minimum Wage For Taxicab Drivers

Dear Mr. Walker,

As you are aware taxicab drivers are employees who are required to be paid minimum wage. Even
though the Labor Commissioner investigator, Mr. Van Valkenburg apprised you in a May 28th letter that
Frias was not obligated to pay its drivers minimum wage, I’m in pursuit of a fair representation claim
against the Steelworkers. The attorney for Frias admitted they are still obligated to follow the federal Fair
Labor Standards Act and can count tips towards minimum wage, as long as they inform their employees.
That’s only half the requirement. They must also make a cash payment to employees of $2.13/hour. No
cash payment has ever been made to a Frias driver. Call the DOL to confirm this, 388-6001.
Regardless, there are 10 other companies with drivers who are struggling to find trips in competition with
at least 192 and most probably 500 more cabs than are needed for the amount of business.
I believe you have the authority to regulate the minimum wage problem. As the Administrator, your
control of the issuance of Taxicab Driver Permits could easily gauge the number drivers available to drive
the cabs which the excessive number of medallions have been allocated. Ask for proof from each
company that every driver is coming in with at least $200 to $225 per 12 hour shift. That’s the range in
which a driver will probably not earn minimum wage.
By issuing permits to drivers without assuring that every permitted driver is earning minimum wage, you
are in clear violation of NRS 608.250 (3): It is unlawful for any person to employ, cause to be employed
or permit to be employed, or to contract with, cause to be contracted with or permit to be contracted
with, any person for a wage less than that established by the Labor Commissioner pursuant to the
provisions of this section.
Mr. Walker, I began my activist work during this week last year by complaining about the delay and
damage of not having a full-time permanent Administrator. I believed that once an Administrator was
hired, then leadership of that individual would restore common-sense and fairness to an agency that was
basically on auto-pilot. It’s been unclear what your presence has contributed to the agency because the
only things that we’ve heard from you is: Cab drivers don’t have anything to complain about because
revenue per shift is up; a press release that announced the meter increases before the board had even
considered it; and much appreciated withdrawal of temp medallions at the end of a show.
The staff recommendation made at Tuesday’s meeting made no sense. Mr. Kuzik analyzed the numbers
saw no need for more medallions, asked for feedback and got no sensible responses, then
recommended 224 extra shifts. Are you obligated to stand by while this non-sense persists?
I’m in the final stages of aligning my efforts with a proposed new Local of the ITPE, which has put the
United Taxicab Drivers Corp. on hold. I have a tremendous following of both union and non-union drivers,
standing by, hoping and praying for better days. I’m haunted by conversations that I’ve had with drivers
after shifts where they were taking home less than $50 including tips, and I’ve promised to help. Help!
With Sincerest Regards,

Randell S. Hynes