Uber drivers striking for 24 hours

DRIVERS at ride-hailing giant Uber are staging a strike today over issues including pay and claims that workers are being unfairly dismissed.

Members of the App Drivers and Couriers Union (ADCU) will hold protests in a number of cities – including Bristol and London – and are urging people not to use the service during the 24-hour walkout.

The union has accused the company of failing to implement a court ruling to pay waiting time, which it says makes up around 40% of an Uber driver’s working time, and claims that large numbers of drivers are being unfairly sacked.

Uber insisted it is working with unions to raise standards for drivers.

The union is also in dispute over the introduction of fixed price fares which it claims has led to reduced driver incomes.

ADCU president Yaseen Aslam said: “It is shameful that Uber continues to defy the highest court in the land to cheat 70,000 workers out of pay for 40% of their true working time.”

An Uber spokesperson said: “Following the historic trade union recognition deal with the GMB (union), drivers have an even stronger voice within Uber.

“We are working together with our trade union partner to raise standards for drivers through greater transparency and engagement.

“GMB represents drivers in areas such as earnings, deactivations and the implementation of new worker benefits, such as holiday pay and pensions.”

Uber announced in March that 70,000 drivers will be treated as workers, earning at least the National Living Wage, with paid-for holiday time. Those eligible will be automatically enrolled into a pension plan.