Uber drivers from the App Drivers and Couriers Union (ADCU) are taking strike action over pay and workers' rights.
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A group of Uber drivers in London have gone on strike in a dispute over pay and workers’ rights.
Members of the App Drivers and Couriers Union (ADCU) staged a protest outside Uber’s headquarters in Aldgate on Tuesday, as drivers switched off the company’s app for 24 hours.
They are calling for fair, transparent pay, an end to unfair dismissal and changes to the app’s algorithm.
Drivers demand end to ‘exploitative’ system
Protestors outside Uber’s London HQ demanded an end to the TripRadar system for allocating rides to drivers. CREDIT: ADCU
The protesting drivers directed much of their frustration at Uber’s TripRadar system for allocating rides to drivers.
TripRadar gives multiple drivers in an area the chance to “match” with the same ride, rather than giving one driver at a time the exclusive right to accept or decline the ride.
If more than one driver selects “match”, Uber’s algorithm assigns the ride to one of them based on a variety of factors.
Drivers claim pricing system is unfair
Zamir Dreni, the general secretary of the App Drivers and Couriers Union, says TripRadar is a “disaster waiting to happen.” CREDIT: ADCU
Zamir Dreni, the general secretary of the ADCU, says drivers have tested the system amongst themselves and found that the algorithm offers drivers different prices for the same ride.
He says the app often gives the ride to the driver who accepts the lowest price, creating a system that takes “as much as possible from the consumer and pays as little as possible to the driver.”
The union is calling on Uber to improve its pay offer and make pricing more transparent for both drivers and riders. Zamir wants executives at Uber to realise that the company cannot succeed without a workforce of drivers that “take people from A to B.”
TripRadar a ‘very dangerous’ distraction
Drivers say TripRadar sends several notifications at once which can be distracting if they have to take their eyes off the road. CREDIT: UNSPLASH
Uber driver Mohammed expressed concerns about the distracting nature of the notifications sent to drivers by TripRadar.
He says they get sent several trips at once and have to scroll through them whilst driving, which is “dangerous” and “illegal”.
Uber drivers who are reported by a passenger for using their phone whilst driving can have their account immediately blocked.
One of the protestors, John, said this threatens drivers’ livelihoods at a time when the cost of living crisis has seen the cost of car rental, electric charging, insurance and other expenses rise drastically.
If their account is blocked, they can’t work at all. Every day of not working with Uber puts a bit of suffering to these drivers because they need every day’s income.
John, Uber driver
Uber: TripRadar gives drivers more ‘flexibility’
Uber told City News that TripRadar gives drivers additional flexibility whilst fulfilling more trips for passengers.
The company refutes the claims that TripRadar makes drivers compete against each other to drive down prices and says it has already made improvements to the system.
As workers, all Uber drivers are guaranteed to earn at least the National Living Wage when taking trips, with Uber topping up their earnings if they ever fall below this level. The majority of Uber drivers can and do earn much more. Uber drivers have the freedom to work where and when they want and have access to industry leading rights such as holiday pay and a pension, as well as formal representation through GMB Union.
Uber spokesperson
Members of the GMB Union, Uber’s official union, did not take part in the 24-hour strike.
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HeadlineStriking Uber drivers protest outside company’s HQ over pay and workers’ rights
Short HeadlineUber drivers in London go on strike outside company's HQ
StandfirstProtesters claim Uber's pay structure and algorithm creates a "race to the bottom" for drivers.
A group of Uber drivers in London have gone on strike in a dispute over pay and workers’ rights.
Members of the App Drivers and Couriers Union (ADCU) staged a protest outside Uber’s headquarters in Aldgate on Tuesday, as drivers switched off the company’s app for 24 hours.
They are calling for fair, transparent pay, an end to unfair dismissal and changes to the app’s algorithm.
Drivers demand end to ‘exploitative’ system
Protestors outside Uber’s London HQ demanded an end to the TripRadar system for allocating rides to drivers. CREDIT: ADCU
The protesting drivers directed much of their frustration at Uber’s TripRadar system for allocating rides to drivers.
TripRadar gives multiple drivers in an area the chance to “match” with the same ride, rather than giving one driver at a time the exclusive right to accept or decline the ride.
If more than one driver selects “match”, Uber’s algorithm assigns the ride to one of them based on a variety of factors.
Drivers claim pricing system is unfair
Zamir Dreni, the general secretary of the App Drivers and Couriers Union, says TripRadar is a “disaster waiting to happen.” CREDIT: ADCU
Zamir Dreni, the general secretary of the ADCU, says drivers have tested the system amongst themselves and found that the algorithm offers drivers different prices for the same ride.
He says the app often gives the ride to the driver who accepts the lowest price, creating a system that takes “as much as possible from the consumer and pays as little as possible to the driver.”
The union is calling on Uber to improve its pay offer and make pricing more transparent for both drivers and riders. Zamir wants executives at Uber to realise that the company cannot succeed without a workforce of drivers that “take people from A to B.”
TripRadar a ‘very dangerous’ distraction
Drivers say TripRadar sends several notifications at once which can be distracting if they have to take their eyes off the road. CREDIT: UNSPLASH
Uber driver Mohammed expressed concerns about the distracting nature of the notifications sent to drivers by TripRadar.
He says they get sent several trips at once and have to scroll through them whilst driving, which is “dangerous” and “illegal”.
Uber drivers who are reported by a passenger for using their phone whilst driving can have their account immediately blocked.
One of the protestors, John, said this threatens drivers’ livelihoods at a time when the cost of living crisis has seen the cost of car rental, electric charging, insurance and other expenses rise drastically.
If their account is blocked, they can’t work at all. Every day of not working with Uber puts a bit of suffering to these drivers because they need every day’s income.
John, Uber driver
Uber: TripRadar gives drivers more ‘flexibility’
Uber told City News that TripRadar gives drivers additional flexibility whilst fulfilling more trips for passengers.
The company refutes the claims that TripRadar makes drivers compete against each other to drive down prices and says it has already made improvements to the system.
As workers, all Uber drivers are guaranteed to earn at least the National Living Wage when taking trips, with Uber topping up their earnings if they ever fall below this level. The majority of Uber drivers can and do earn much more. Uber drivers have the freedom to work where and when they want and have access to industry leading rights such as holiday pay and a pension, as well as formal representation through GMB Union.
Uber spokesperson
Members of the GMB Union, Uber’s official union, did not take part in the 24-hour strike.
