Hundreds of angry taxi drivers converged on Cabinet Office this morning to demand that Premier Jennifer Smith sacks Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown.

More than 300 drivers and owners took the decision last night and threatened further action including a go-slow at no more than 35 kilometres an hour, a mass drive around the House of Assembly, and even a full strike if their demands are not met.

The meeting, organised by Bermuda Taxi Owners Association (BTOA), also agreed to set up a legal fund and approach leading QC Saul Froomkin to help them fight Dr. Brown's controversial proposals to force all taxis to join a computerised central dispatch system. “The doctor is operating on the taxi industry and he is burying us,” BTOA President Gordon Flood told the meeting at West Pembroke Primary.

He said the drivers, owners and dispatch companies had to fight to ensure drivers had a choice of who to work for, rather than be forced to join the Bermuda Central Dispatch Corporation, which has been set up to run the system. Drivers would be at the mercy of the directors of the new company who could charge any fees they liked, he said.

“It we allow the central dispatch system, we'll have so many feet on our backsides it won't be funny. If we have to fight it in the courts, we'll fight it in the courts.”

BTOA spokesman Lee Tucker told the meeting the drivers were furious when Dr. Brown allegedly told them at a recent meeting that they were not making a decent living because they were “fat and lazy”.

He said drivers were fed up lifting heavy bags, including golf bags, for 25 cents a piece. “I thought slavery was abolished,” he said.

He said Dr. Brown had refused suggestions from drivers that the first two bags be free and the rest be charged at one dollar each, and even suggested taxis be charged one dollar a time to enter the airport to pick up passengers.

Driver Earlston Brown told the meeting the Progressive Labour Party had failed the taxi industry.

“I am tired of marching around Parliament and riding around Parliament, it is time for us to down tools, to park those taxis. It's time for us to go on strike,” he said.

“Bermuda is very neat and people only fight when their backs are up against the wall. Our backs are up against the wall and we must fight to the end.”

He received a standing ovation when he said: “We must send a message to the PLP: We want Dr. Brown to be removed. If the Premier doesn't remove Brown, I call on the people of Warwick West to remove him and Jennifer Smith.”

Some drivers called for taxis to drive in a continuous circle around Hamilton to choke off cars and cause heavy traffic jams.

Although there were calls to ask for an independent commission to look into the industry and come up with recommendations, one driver said they had to act immediately, so as not to give the PLP time to defend itself.

“We need tomorrow morning to have all those drivers doing 35 km. Let Mr. Brown and his California style go back to California. Next week we'll lose momentum, this is the best time.

“We want to hurt the Government and Dr. Brown in particular. Strike the iron while it is hot.”

Not everyone agreed with the attack on Dr. Brown. Walter Byron, a vice-president of Bermuda Central Dispatch Corporation, said he was asked for $100 to get into the meeting for legal fees, which he refused, then organisers tried to throw him out the hall. Afterwards he said: “That group in there have called for the resignation of every transport minister. They have to look at themselves, as it must indicate that there is something wrong with them that they call for every minister to resign.

“It's incredible. The problem with the taxi industry is the mentality that is in that hall. All of this has caused them to forget their passenger base. If they addressed their client base they would be on the road to recovery, but unfortunately I don't see much hope for that group.”

Dr. Brown refused to comment last night when contacted about calls for his resignation.

But he told The Royal Gazette before the meeting: “I would hope that whatever they do does not result in an even lower standard of service than we have right now. I believe that the majority of owners are progressive and productive people. On the other hand, I understand the nature of protest, and the right to protest, and hopefully something constructive will come from their meeting.”

He said he took exception to Mr. Tucker saying in yesterday's paper that some members thought he was dictatorial.

“I would like for one of them to tell me what it means. The industry seems to believe that if there is a disagreement, anyone who disagrees is a dictator. Our ministry has been more interactive with the taxi industry than any previous ministry.”

Referring to recent proposals for water taxis, limousines and airport shuttles, he said: “We're interested in promoting competition because that's the name of the game. Every element in Bermuda requires some element of competition and it is unfair for the rest of the population when they see the taxi operators unwilling to compete.

“If (Tourism) Minister (David) Allen successfully gets more visitors to Bermuda, it is my responsibility to have that increased volume adequately and professionally served.

“One thing we have to do is to bring it into the modern era of technology. I wish more of the owners would overcome their fear of computers and move forward with the progressive ones. I have an open door, but it would be irresponsible of me to be intimidated by the taxi operators.”

In yesterday's Royal Gazette, Mr. Tucker said the drivers may consider boycotting hotels and the airport in protest.

Bermuda Hotel Association chief executive John Harvey said: “I don't want to pre-empt the meeting, but people should not be threatening anything at this time.” Paul Tormey, the general manager of the Fairmont Hamilton Princess, said: “If that were to happen, you can sum it up in one word - disappointing.

“It would be pleasant to think that the professionals in the taxi industry and the Ministry of Transport would be able to work out an amicable solution for everyone involved. The last thing we need is disruption to transportation for business travellers and visitors.”