Cabbies Turning Up Strike Talk Over Technology

Taxi drivers who oppose having global positioning systems in their cabs have set a strike date. The New York Taxi Workers Alliance, which has more than 8,400 members, will call for drivers to strike on September 5th and 6th if city leaders don't drop plans for a GPS system that the group fears could be used to track drivers' movements.

All 13,000 city cabs will be required by the Taxi and Limousine Commission to install touch-screen and global positioning systems. The commission initially called for the technology while approving a 26 percent fare increase in 2004. Starting on October 1, as taxis come up for inspection, they will be required to have the technology.

The touch-screen monitors will let passengers pay by credit card, check on news stories, map their taxi's current location and look up restaurant and entertainment information.

The Taxi Workers Alliance opposes the GPS system -- saying it is an invasion of drivers' privacy.