Doorman Caught in the Act! April 25th, 2002 Elizabeth James, General Manager The Westin Hotel, Seattle, Washington 1900 5th Avenue Seattle, Washington 98121 (206 728 1000 Gen Tel # (206)728 2007 Gen Fax # RE: Doorman Abdul Dear Ms. James, Cab Drivers' Alliance of King County is a non-profit organization formed in August of 1999 to be a voice for all Seattle and King County Cab Drivers. On Thursday, April 11, 2002, on or about 12:15 p.m., Orange Cab Driver Ayele Gebremariam was whistled in or hailed into the Westin Hotel by doorman Abdul who was the first Taxi on the cab stand to pick up a customer and was told by Abdul to take the customer to the "Airport." Abdul also instructed the Cab Driver to come back to the hotel and that he would pay for the passenger fare. Upon completing the trip and returning to the hotel to get paid for his services, the doorman refused to pay Ayele and asked him why he took the customer to the "Airport, he was to go to the Alexis Hotel, not the airport." Ayele, has spoken with Mr. Kier Thompson and Ms. Kyoung Yoon of your staff several times this month to resolve this matter and to be paid for his "Services Rendered." To this point, all he has gotten is the run around and at one point was told by Abdul that he could not work or pick up passengers at this hotel anymore. Please be advised; Cab Drivers are Independent Contractors. With proper current "For-Hire Licences" issued by King County Business License Division of King County and with a joint agreement between the two local governmental agencies are allowed to service the general public within Seattle City limits and King County without restrictions placed on them. The bottom line here: Mr. Gebremariam, would like to be treated with respect by your staff which he will fully reciprocate, be paid the $ 25.00 he is entitled to and provide the best reliable Taxi Service to the public at large that all Seattle and King County Taxi Drivers are committed to performing 24 hours a day 7 days a week. We hope that this issue can be amicably resolved on the local level without the need of contacting Mr. Barry S. Sternlicht, CEO of the Starwood/Hotel Group for assistance. Ayele can be reached by calling (206) 356-1820 or you may send your response to him c/o: CDAKC, P.O. Box 18693, Seattle, Washington 98118-0693. We look forward to hearing from you soon. Sincerely, Terry Davis Acting Director, CDAKC TD/td cc: File P.S. Our e-mail address is cdakc@yahoo.com