Everyone knows about the popular Uber phenomenon in transportation. A huge number of people travel around the city with this app and there are those making a living by choosing to drive with Uber. But, why are these drivers are on a strike in front of organization’s offices in London, Birmingham and Nottingham and these drivers are declaring the app as the picket line under IWUB union, UK.
UBER STRIKE TOMORROW!!!
More information and details on solidarity rally outside Uber officers here. 👇👇👇https://t.co/kHFIW2eGtA#Ustrike https://t.co/2Ryywsr1bS
— IWGB (@IWGBunion) October 8, 2018
.@Uber drivers will be on strike in London, Birmingham and Nottingham today for 24hrs from 1pm
Solidarity protests at 1pm in the three cities, details below
Come down and support these workers fighting for basic rights they are being unlwafully denied#gigeconomy #Solidarity pic.twitter.com/aOESBcZlky
— IWGB (@IWGBunion) October 9, 2018
Stance Of Uber Drivers In This Stike
The primary issue that this strike raises is that Uber drivers are not earning as much. Their earning ration is very less, and the commission which has been given to the Uber app itself is 10%. Whereas, the rate of payment is £1.25p/m though this should be £2 per mile. This whole scenario is defined by the union as ‘de facto dismissals’ because they are demanding an end to this unfair disqualification.
Stephen Hull, a Birmingham-based driver, mentioned his stance over this strike as;
“There is mass discontent among drivers because the oversupply of vehicles and the way that drivers earn their money is making it almost impossible to make enough to live.”
Hull said that he has been driving Uber for almost one and a half year and he thinks that the overall experience was excellent thanks to the target achieving gifts and bonuses. But he can’t rely on Uber for mainstream earning as the payment given to the drivers is so less that “it is not at all enough to live.”
Whereas, James Farrar, the chair of the UPHD, said that “there is a request for the users to support the drivers and do not use the app as it is the picket line as these drivers deserve much more for their services over the years.”
Limb (b) Workers
The Union has also requested Uber organization to appeal for the different working status for its drivers. According to the drivers, they must have the state of Limb (b) workers under the law of UK. There must improve the policies by Uber according to the rights of workers for its drivers “which include the payment of at least the minimum wage and paid holidays.”
Support By Other People
Even some well-known politicians supported the drivers’ concerns, Jhon McDonnell showed his empathic gesture for the union through his tweet.
I support this strike for better employment rights and urge others to respect the app picket line. https://t.co/2ntP1bGe68
— John McDonnell MP (@johnmcdonnellMP) October 8, 2018
Support Uber drivers’ demand for an increase in fares, an end to unfair deactivations, and respect for rulings on worker rights. Don’t use Uber during the 24-hour #UberStrike from 1pm today, London, Birmingham, & Nottingham, UK. pic.twitter.com/Gx0gfA7myV
— Dermot Feenan (@dermotfeenan) October 9, 2018
Uber Organization’s Comment
Whereas, Uber has stated a completely different stance regarding the appeal by saying that the organization understands the position of drivers and there have been many things which are provided to them without the protest. Uber will still fight against the 2016 ruling.
