Uber drivers are on strike today, and they’ve asked passengers to not cross the picket line and to boycott the service for 24 hours
Demonstrations are being held today in support of Uber drivers in eight UK cities.
Any questions?#UberStrike pic.twitter.com/ruBl3Iqcjw
— ADCU (@ADCUnion) September 28, 2021
Please help us share this message. #UberStrike pic.twitter.com/JXF1txyKy6
— ADCU (@ADCUnion) September 19, 2021
Still lacking workers’ rights despite the Supreme Court’s ruling
This February, Uber drivers won a massive victory in the Supreme Court. The Court upheld a previous ruling which affirmed that Uber drivers were workers and entitled to workers’ rights.
The decision from the court has forced Uber to pay its workers the minimum wage, holiday pay, and pensions.
But the App Drivers and Couriers Union (ADCU) says that Uber is not going far enough to respect the ruling, because it’s still not paying for the time that drivers spend waiting for their next customer. The App Drivers and Couriers Union explained in this tweet:
Uber continues to indiscriminately fire thousands of drivers by automated means without right of appeal or often to even know the allegations against them. More info on the strike here. pic.twitter.com/8mSf5kSlAz
— ADCU (@ADCUnion) September 25, 2021
Another issue is that Uber is changing from its previous pay model – which was based on both time and distance – to a fixed fare model. This means that drivers will not receive any more pay if their fares are re-routed, or if there are heavy delays.
Unfair dismissals
The ADCU is also complaining that Uber has unfairly dismissed its workers. According to Uber driver Steve, a member of the ACDU:
You deserve to work without the fear of being deactivated at any point by Uber or any other apps
“We cannot keep going”
Steve continued:
We understand how difficult this pandemic has been for everyone. We just wanna send the message that we cannot keep going on with the fares going down to the bottom. At some point we need to be valued; at some point our work needs to reflect our costs
Messages of support
Many supporters have sent messages of support on Twitter
Private Hire London: Strike day today, drivers can’t be dependent on bonuses and surge. Fares must be £2.25 per mile, cc toll £2.50, long trips £2.50mile, Pay stops waiting time and detours.. all apps, join @ADCUnion
— Manu (@macor247) September 28, 2021
Not using #Uber for now in solidarity with the hard working drivers that @uber is still milking with fixed price while violating their own T&Cs with impunity. Please don’t use that app today. Thank you. #uberdriverstrike #UberStrike @TfLTPH @MayorofLondon @GMB_union @guardian https://t.co/QwmmMRg0Wq
— Guy
(@guy_rapho1) September 28, 2021
— IWA – AIT (@IWAAIT) September 27, 2021
A global struggle against precarious work
The strike has received messages of solidarity from Uber drivers worldwide:
WE STAND UNITED with UK drivers striking for an end to unfair deactivations.
#UberStrike #ADCU pic.twitter.com/y4movazAwW
— The Rideshare Driver Network (@rideshare_the) September 28, 2021
Brother Ejaz Butt from Canada
@IAATW_Org will be striking for 24 hours on Tuesday 28th September and protesting with drivers outside Uber Office in Toronto.
Drivers – do not log on.
— ADCU (@ADCUnion) September 25, 2021
The Canary contacted Uber for a comment on the strike and the claims of poor working conditions and unfair dismissals. We had not received a reply by the time of publication.
And the strike has begun to bite
The ADCU tweeted earlier today that that the strike was biting during the Glasgow morning commute. It claimed that fares on the Uber app were significantly higher due to the lack of drivers.
Uber drivers have promised that today’s 24-hour strike is only the beginning of a long struggle. Their struggle is an important part of a global fight to force gig economy companies like Uber to end precarious work. Uber drivers need our support and solidarity today and for the long haul.
Feature Image via Flickr / Antoine Imbert
By Tom Anderson
This post was originally published on The Canary.