A PRIVATE hire drivers union has affiliated with the General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU) as the federation celebrates its 125th birthday.

UK Private Hire Drivers Union (UKPHD) chairman Muhumed Ali said: “We are delighted to be joining.

“GFTU offers a large amount of support and first-class educational opportunities which can help our union grow and develop further, working with other unions across our movement.”

GFTU general secretary Gawain Little said: “I am delighted to welcome the UKPHD to the GFTU family.

“We have a long and proud history of supporting the development of unions.

“We look forward to working with UKPHD throughout the rest of our 125th year and beyond.” 

The GFTU has marked its milestone by recommitting to its founding principles of education, solidarity and unity in action.  

“UKPHD Union is a new fast growing grass-roots union, dedicated to improving the working conditions of its members comprising of private hire drivers,” a GFTU spokesman added.