It’s the first time a gig economy outfit has formally recognised a workers’ union
Uber Technologies Inc (NYSE:UBER) has agreed an historic deal with the GMB trade union, which will now be able to represent up to 70,000 drivers across the UK.
It’s the first time a gig economy outfit has formally recognised a workers’ union, allowing for collective bargaining.
Drivers will retain the freedom to choose if, when and where they drive while also having the choice to be represented by GMB.
Uber and GMB will work together on key topics such as national earnings, pension, benefits, safety measures and account deactivations.
Last modified on Wed 26 May 2021 14.49 EDT
Uber is to recognise the GMB trade union in the UK for its private hire drivers, marking the first deal between a union and a gig economy ride-hailing service.
Uber has signed the deal two months after agreeing to guarantee its 70,000 UK drivers a minimum hourly wage, holiday pay and pensions in March after a landmark supreme court ruling.
The union recognition agreement, like the pay deal, does not apply to delivery riders for the Uber Eats food service, which works with about 30,000 couriers.
Among the issues likely to be taken up by the GMB is that Uber’s new pay scheme ignores the supreme court ruling that drivers’ working time should be calculated from the moment they log on to its app to work until they log off.
Uber (NYSE: UBER) is reportedly set to recognize the rights of drivers to unionize in the U.K., according to a report, in a similar arrangement to its deal .
Uber is reportedly close to a deal with GMB, a U.K.-based labor union, to provide representation for rideshare drivers as it works to comply with a recent U.K. Supreme Court decision saying drivers were entitled to minimum wage.