Taxi drivers the length and breadth of the country are up in arms at a proposal by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities that all cabbies should wear a cap and uniform to make them appear more friendly that they sometimes appear.
The chairman of the Scottish Tax Drivers Association Matt Taylor is threatening to ballot for a national strike if the proposal is implemented.
Taylor stated to a press gathering in Glasgow yesterday :
"There is no way our members are going to be forced to wear Postman Pat type hats and uniforms, even if it is intended to change the public face of our bsuiness.
"Our members have good reason to be grumpy - we sit on our collective arses up to 12 hours a day in cramped conditions, most of us don't even get to listen to the radio now because it mucks up the signals on our sat nav, and we're heartily fed up with customers asking 'are you busy today ?' , 'what time do you finish ?' or 'would you like a bit of fun as i've no money on me ?'.
"I would suggest that we deserve to be a bit down in the mouth now and again".
COSLA were not prepared to comment.