Uber has reached a deal with the GMB Union giving its drivers union representation for the first time.
GMB is a general union with over 600,000 members. Supporters of the deal say that union membership will give Uber drivers a voice within the company.
In 2016, Uber lost a fight with the Supreme Court. It argued that drivers should be described as self-employed contractors rather than workers.
Uber has around 45,000 drivers in London.
BREAKING NEWS:
Uber formally recognise GMB.
It’s official, GMB is the union for Uber drivers. pic.twitter.com/Be46VINLSU
— GMB Union (@GMB_union) May 26, 2021
The company has had a fraught relationship with the capital in the past. Transport for London stripped Uber of its license twice. In 2019, regulators said Uber’s practices put customers at risk.
Responding to the news GMB said in a statement:
“Drivers will retain the freedom to choose if, when, and where they drive whilst also having the choice to be represented by GMB.”
GMB’s National Officer, Mick Rix, said the deal would “be the first step to a fairer working life for millions of people.”
“History has been made,” he said.
Labour Leader Keir Starmer tweeted his support, calling the deal “ground breaking.”
London mayor Sadiq Khan, who previously supported TFL’s decision to strip Uber of its license, said the deal was a “great example of what can be achieved when business & trade unions work together.”
