Union.

The shock announcement was made last night by BIU president Derrick Burgess following a late night meeting.

Mr. Burgess told The Royal Gazette that a taxi division was created and an executive committee elected.

The new branch president David Bean and vice president Neville Darrell will represent taxi drivers and owners in dealings with the Government, Mr. Burgess said.

According to Mr. Burgess, the move was prompted by a number of concerns plaguing those in the industry.

"The taxi drivers are concerned,'' he said. "They are a very powerful group, they own assets of more than $70 million which is more than Government owns in all its transportation in this Country and they are an integral part of this country. But they are not treated that way -- they are treated as less than they should be.

"This is something that the drivers feel a need for, to come together so that they can talk to the Government with one voice.'' Mr. Burgess refused to comment on whether the move was a slap in the face to The Bermuda Taxi Union.

"It's not about them,'' he said. "We're a trade union and they came to us.'' But he did issued an invitation to all cab drivers and owners to join the new entity.

And he said that the invitation extended to BTU president Joe Brown, who was unavailable for comment last night.

"We've had some contact with Mr. Brown,'' Mr. Burgess said, "and we will certainly pursue him again.'' Mr. Brown did not attend last night's meeting.

UNIONS UNS