Detroit : A federal judge has scheduled a hearing Wednesday on a request by taxi drivers at Detroit Metropolitan Airport for emergency action to stop airport officials from terminating their contract.
The Detroit Metropolitan Airport Taxicab Association filed a federal lawsuit today alleging breach of contract and violation of civil and constitutional rights.
The Wayne County Airport Authority issued a news release Oct. 1 saying it was terminating its contract with the association because of $534,500 in unpaid concession fees.
In its lawsuit, the association alleges airport authority officials have "harassed, intimidated and discriminated against" association members because the association is minority owned and controlled.
"Almost all of the 340 members are minorities from the Middle East, India, Pakistan, Somalia and Bangladesh," says the lawsuit filed by Canton Township attorney Nabih Ayad.
Although the association won a competitively bid contract to serve the airport in 2003 and again in 2007, the authority permitted "competitors and their drivers to physically enter the airport terminal and directly solicit passengers, but excluded plaintiffs from doing the same," hindering association members' ability "to pick up passenger and generate revenue," the complaint alleges.
13/10/09 Paul Egan / The Detroit News, USA
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