Driving Street Justice: The Taxicab Driver as the Last American Cowboy. Labor Studies Journal 31 (2): 31- 48

This research explores workers ’ solidarity and shared culture in the cab driving industry, using theories of distributive justice and relational justice. Cab driving culture involves a high level of worker solidarity, with drivers relying on fellow drivers for assistance, working together in the face of conflict, and imposing various forms of social control when the cab driving community’s norms are violated. This article operationalizes such actions as "street justice. " Through both individual and group acts of street justice, the cabdrivers promote the main goals of their occupation’s culture: justice and safety. I think [the image of the cabdriver is] a little inaccurate. I think that people tend to think of the cabdriver as being the loser guy, that doesn’t take a shower, and he’s crooked. He runs around and tries to rip people off. I think that’s wrong.... [Instead] a cabdriver is the last American cowboy. (eight-year veteran cabdriver) [135]